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Li H, Feng J, Shi X, Zhao X. Neural mechanisms of Chinese character recognition, updating, and maintenance in the N-back task. Int J Psychophysiol 2024; 200:112356. [PMID: 38701899 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112356] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Using the N-back task, we investigated how memory load influences the neural activity of the Chinese character cognitive subprocess (recognition, updating, and maintenance) in Mainland Chinese speakers. Twenty-seven participants completed the Chinese character N-back paradigm while having their event-related potentials recorded. The study employed time and frequency domain analyses of EEG data. Results showed that accuracy decreased and response times increased with larger N values. For ERPs, N2pc and P300 amplitudes decreased and SW amplitude increased with larger N values. For time frequency analyses, the desynchronization of alpha oscillations decreased after stimulus onset, but the synchronization of alpha oscillations increased during the maintenance phase. The results suggest that greater memory load is related to a decrease in cognitive resources during updating and an increase in cognitive resources during information maintenance. The results of a behavioral-ERP data structural equation model analysis showed that the ERP indicators in the maintenance phase predicted behavioral performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Li
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jianru Feng
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Shi
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key Laboratory of Behavioral and Mental Health of Gansu province, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China.
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2
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Tubiolo PN, Williams JC, Van Snellenberg JX. A tale of two n-backs: Diverging associations of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation with n-back task performance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.23.595597. [PMID: 38826388 PMCID: PMC11142179 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.23.595597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Background In studying the neural correlates of working memory (WM) ability via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in health and disease, it is relatively uncommon for investigators to report associations between brain activation and measures of task performance. Additionally, how the choice of WM task impacts observed activation-performance relationships is poorly understood. We sought to illustrate the impact of WM task on brain-behavior correlations using two large, publicly available datasets. Methods We conducted between-participants analyses of task-based fMRI data from two publicly available datasets: the Human Connectome Project (HCP; n = 866) and the Queensland Twin Imaging (QTIM) Study (n = 459). Participants performed two distinct variations of the n-back WM task with different stimuli, timings, and response paradigms. Associations between brain activation ([2-back - 0-back] contrast) and task performance (2-back % correct) were investigated separately in each dataset, as well as across datasets, within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), medial prefrontal cortex, and whole cortex. Results Global patterns of activation to task were similar in both datasets. However, opposite associations between activation and task performance were observed in bilateral pre-supplementary motor area and left middle frontal gyrus. Within the dlPFC, HCP participants exhibited a significantly greater activation-performance relationship in bilateral middle frontal gyrus relative to QTIM Study participants. Conclusions The observation of diverging activation-performance relationships between two large datasets performing variations of the n-back task serves as a critical reminder for investigators to exercise caution when selecting WM tasks and interpreting neural activation in response to a WM task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip N Tubiolo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
| | - John C Williams
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
| | - Jared X Van Snellenberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University
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3
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Johnson J, Howard SJ, Pascual-Leone J. Two Attentional Processes Subserving Working Memory Differentiate Gifted and Mainstream Students. J Cogn 2024; 7:47. [PMID: 38799082 PMCID: PMC11122698 DOI: 10.5334/joc.370] [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: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Two working memory (WM) measures were contrasted, to clarify the nature of advantages in gifted children's cognitive processing. It was predicted that cognitively gifted children would excel in WM tasks taxing mental attention (i.e., n-back) but not tasks supported by perceptual attention (i.e., self-ordered pointing, SOPT). Ninety-one children aged 9-10 and 13-14 years, in a gifted or mainstream classroom, received n-back and SOPT, plus measures of mental-attentional (M-) capacity, inhibition, and shifting. Older children generally scored higher than younger children. As predicted, gifted children outperformed mainstream peers on all tasks, except for SOPT. Results demonstrate the need to distinguish between mental and perceptual attention in measurement of WM.
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Li Y, Wang F, Li J, Huo X, Zhang Y. Aerobic exercise improves verbal working memory sub-processes in adolescents: behavioral evidence from an N-back task. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17331. [PMID: 38708349 PMCID: PMC11067889 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Studies on the effects of aerobic exercise on working memory (WM) have mainly concentrated on the overall effects, yet there is little knowledge on how moderate intensity aerobic exercise impacts the sub-processes of verbal WM (VWM) in adolescents. To address this gap, two experiments were conducted to explore the influence of aerobic exercise on the maintenance and updating sub-processes of VWM. Methods In Experiment 1, a mixed experimental design of 2 (exercise habit: high vs. low) × 3 (memory load: 0-back vs. 1-back vs. 2-back) was used to compare VWM and its sub-processes in 40 adolescents. In Experiment 2, a 2 (group: intervention vs. control) × 3 (time point: pretest vs. 1st post-test vs. 18th post-test) × 3 (memory load: 0-back vs. 1-back vs. 2-back) mixed experimental design was used to investigate the acute and long-term effects of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on VWM and its sub-processes in 24 adolescents with low exercise habits. Results The results of Experiment 1 showed that VWM performance and its sub-processes in the high exercise habit group were better than those in the low exercise habit group. The results of Experiment 2 showed that the effects of the long-term exercise intervention were superior to those of the acute exercise intervention, and both were superior to the pretest. Meanwhile, it was found that aerobic exercise intervention had a greater effect size on the updating sub-process of VWM. Conclusion In conclusion, the results indicated that moderate intensity aerobic exercise could enhance the performance of VWM and its sub-processes in adolescents, and long-term intervention showed greater improvement effects compared to acute intervention, especially in the updating sub-process of VWM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Psychology, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Psychology, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jingfan Li
- Department of Psychology, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xing Huo
- Department of Physical Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yin Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China
- Postdoctoral Research Station of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China
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Proverbio AM, Cesati F. Neural correlates of recalled sadness, joy, and fear states: a source reconstruction EEG study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1357770. [PMID: 38638416 PMCID: PMC11024723 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1357770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The capacity to understand the others' emotional states, particularly if negative (e.g. sadness or fear), underpins the empathic and social brain. Patients who cannot express their emotional states experience social isolation and loneliness, exacerbating distress. We investigated the feasibility of detecting non-invasive scalp-recorded electrophysiological signals that correspond to recalled emotional states of sadness, fear, and joy for potential classification. Methods The neural activation patterns of 20 healthy and right-handed participants were studied using an electrophysiological technique. Analyses were focused on the N400 component of Event-related potentials (ERPs) recorded during silent recall of subjective emotional states; Standardized weighted Low-resolution Electro-magnetic Tomography (swLORETA) was employed for source reconstruction. The study classified individual patterns of brain activation linked to the recollection of three distinct emotional states into seven regions of interest (ROIs). Results Statistical analysis (ANOVA) of the individual magnitude values revealed the existence of a common emotional circuit, as well as distinct brain areas that were specifically active during recalled sad, happy and fearful states. In particular, the right temporal and left superior frontal areas were more active for sadness, the left limbic region for fear, and the right orbitofrontal cortex for happy affective states. Discussion In conclusion, this study successfully demonstrated the feasibility of detecting scalp-recorded electrophysiological signals corresponding to internal and subjective affective states. These findings contribute to our understanding of the emotional brain, and have potential applications for future BCI classification and identification of emotional states in LIS patients who may be unable to express their emotions, thus helping to alleviate social isolation and sense of loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Mado Proverbio
- Cognitive Electrophysiology Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- NEURO-MI Milan Center for Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Cesati
- Cognitive Electrophysiology Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Master SL, Curtis CE, Dayan P. Wagers for work: Decomposing the costs of cognitive effort. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012060. [PMID: 38683857 PMCID: PMC11081491 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Some aspects of cognition are more taxing than others. Accordingly, many people will avoid cognitively demanding tasks in favor of simpler alternatives. Which components of these tasks are costly, and how much, remains unknown. Here, we use a novel task design in which subjects request wages for completing cognitive tasks and a computational modeling procedure that decomposes their wages into the costs driving them. Using working memory as a test case, our approach revealed that gating new information into memory and protecting against interference are costly. Critically, other factors, like memory load, appeared less costly. Other key factors which may drive effort costs, such as error avoidance, had minimal influence on wage requests. Our approach is sensitive to individual differences, and could be used in psychiatric populations to understand the true underlying nature of apparent cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Master
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Clayton E. Curtis
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Peter Dayan
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Deutschland
- University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Deutschland
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7
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Song YT, Xiang MQ, Zhong P. Differences in brain activation during working memory tasks between badminton athletes and non-athletes: An fNIRS study. Brain Cogn 2024; 175:106133. [PMID: 38241821 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2024.106133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Working memory refers to our ability to temporarily store and process information, and it is crucial for efficient cognition and motor control. In the context of badminton matches, athletes need to make quick decisions and reactions in rapidly changing situations. Athletes with strong working memory capacity can better process this information and translate it into actual motor performance. Although previous research has demonstrated that exercise can improve brain function and structure, it remains unclear how the brain functions of athletes engaged in long-term professional training are specifically involved in performing working memory tasks. METHOD In this study, we assessed behavioral performance and cerebral oxygenation in the prefrontal lobe, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, with 22 athletes and 30 non-athletes. Each participant was evaluated while performing 1-back, 2-back, and 3-back tasks. The area under the curve (AUC) of HbO (oxyhemoglobin) is used as an indicator of cortical brain oxygenation. RESULTS The behavioral performance results indicated no difference between badminton athletes and non-athletes in the n-back task. We observed significantly different activation in channels of left FPA, right DLPFC, and left VLPFC when performing 3-back tasks. Brain activation indicated that long-term training in badminton caused a better performance in high-load working memory tasks. CONCLUSIONS Long-term professional training in badminton primarily activates the left frontal-parietal attention network (left FPA), right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (right DLPFC), and left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (left VLPFC) during working memory tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Ting Song
- Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China
| | - Ming-Qiang Xiang
- Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China.
| | - Pin Zhong
- South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510500, China.
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Wang J, Ilyas N, Ren Y, Ji Y, Li S, Li C, Liu F, Gu D, Ang KW. Technology and Integration Roadmap for Optoelectronic Memristor. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307393. [PMID: 37739413 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Optoelectronic memristors (OMs) have emerged as a promising optoelectronic Neuromorphic computing paradigm, opening up new opportunities for neurosynaptic devices and optoelectronic systems. These OMs possess a range of desirable features including minimal crosstalk, high bandwidth, low power consumption, zero latency, and the ability to replicate crucial neurological functions such as vision and optical memory. By incorporating large-scale parallel synaptic structures, OMs are anticipated to greatly enhance high-performance and low-power in-memory computing, effectively overcoming the limitations of the von Neumann bottleneck. However, progress in this field necessitates a comprehensive understanding of suitable structures and techniques for integrating low-dimensional materials into optoelectronic integrated circuit platforms. This review aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the fundamental performance, mechanisms, design of structures, applications, and integration roadmap of optoelectronic synaptic memristors. By establishing connections between materials, multilayer optoelectronic memristor units, and monolithic optoelectronic integrated circuits, this review seeks to provide insights into emerging technologies and future prospects that are expected to drive innovation and widespread adoption in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyong Wang
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Nasir Ilyas
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China
| | - Yujing Ren
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Yun Ji
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Sifan Li
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Changcun Li
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China
| | - Fucai Liu
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China
| | - Deen Gu
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China
| | - Kah-Wee Ang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR, Singapore, 138634, Singapore
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Kidder K, Gillis R, Miles J, Mizumori SJY. The medial prefrontal cortex during flexible decisions: Evidence for its role in distinct working memory processes. Hippocampus 2024; 34:141-155. [PMID: 38095152 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23594] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
During decisions that involve working memory, task-related information must be encoded, maintained across delays, and retrieved. Few studies have attempted to causally disambiguate how different brain structures contribute to each of these components of working memory. In the present study, we used transient optogenetic disruptions of rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during a serial spatial reversal learning (SSRL) task to test its role in these specific working memory processes. By analyzing numerous performance metrics, we found: (1) mPFC disruption impaired performance during only the choice epoch of initial discrimination learning of the SSRL task; (2) mPFC disruption impaired performance in dissociable ways across all task epochs (delay, choice, return) during flexible decision-making; (3) mPFC disruption resulted in a reduction of the typical vicarious-trial-and-error rate modulation that was related to changes in task demands. Taken together, these findings suggest that the mPFC plays an outsized role in working memory retrieval, becomes involved in encoding and maintenance when recent memories conflict with task demands, and enables animals to flexibly utilize working memory to update behavior as environments change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevan Kidder
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ryan Gillis
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jesse Miles
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sheri J Y Mizumori
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Ruiz-Tagle A, Figueiredo P, Pinto J, Vilela P, Martins IP, Gil-Gouveia R. Working memory during spontaneous migraine attacks: an fMRI study. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:1201-1208. [PMID: 37847419 PMCID: PMC10858146 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07120-0] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the neural correlates of working memory during a spontaneous migraine attack compared to the interictal phase, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). BACKGROUND Cognitive disturbances are commonly observed during migraine attacks, particularly in the headache phase. However, the neural basis of these changes remains unknown. METHODS In a fMRI within-subject test-retest design study, eleven women (32 years of age, average) with episodic migraine were evaluated twice, first during a spontaneous migraine attack, and again in a pain-free period. Each session consisted in a cognitive assessment and fMRI while performing a working memory task (N-back). RESULTS Cognitive test scores were lower during the ictal session than in the pain-free session. Regions typically associated with working memory were activated during the N-back task in both sessions. A voxel wise between session comparison showed significantly greater activation in the left frontal pole and orbitofrontal cortex during the attack relative to the interictal phase. CONCLUSION Migraine patients exhibited greater activation of the left frontal pole and orbitofrontal cortex while executing a verbal working memory task during a spontaneous migraine attack when compared to the interictal state. Given the association of these regions with pain processing and inhibitory control, these findings suggest that patients recruit inhibitory areas to accomplish the cognitive task during migraine attacks, a neural signature of their cognitive difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amparo Ruiz-Tagle
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS and Department of Bioengineering, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, and Hospital de Santa Maria, CHULN, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Patrícia Figueiredo
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS and Department of Bioengineering, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Pinto
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Pedro Vilela
- Serviço de Neurradiologia, Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pavão Martins
- Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, and Hospital de Santa Maria, CHULN, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Raquel Gil-Gouveia
- Headache Center, Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisboa, Portugal
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11
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Levy R. The prefrontal cortex: from monkey to man. Brain 2024; 147:794-815. [PMID: 37972282 PMCID: PMC10907097 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex is so important to human beings that, if deprived of it, our behaviour is reduced to action-reactions and automatisms, with no ability to make deliberate decisions. Why does the prefrontal cortex hold such importance in humans? In answer, this review draws on the proximity between humans and other primates, which enables us, through comparative anatomical-functional analysis, to understand the cognitive functions we have in common and specify those that distinguish humans from their closest cousins. First, a focus on the lateral region of the prefrontal cortex illustrates the existence of a continuum between rhesus monkeys (the most studied primates in neuroscience) and humans for most of the major cognitive functions in which this region of the brain plays a central role. This continuum involves the presence of elementary mental operations in the rhesus monkey (e.g. working memory or response inhibition) that are constitutive of 'macro-functions' such as planning, problem-solving and even language production. Second, the human prefrontal cortex has developed dramatically compared to that of other primates. This increase seems to concern the most anterior part (the frontopolar cortex). In humans, the development of the most anterior prefrontal cortex is associated with three major and interrelated cognitive changes: (i) a greater working memory capacity, allowing for greater integration of past experiences and prospective futures; (ii) a greater capacity to link discontinuous or distant data, whether temporal or semantic; and (iii) a greater capacity for abstraction, allowing humans to classify knowledge in different ways, to engage in analogical reasoning or to acquire abstract values that give rise to our beliefs and morals. Together, these new skills enable us, among other things, to develop highly sophisticated social interactions based on language, enabling us to conceive beliefs and moral judgements and to conceptualize, create and extend our vision of our environment beyond what we can physically grasp. Finally, a model of the transition of prefrontal functions between humans and non-human primates concludes this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Levy
- AP–HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Neurology, Sorbonne Université, Institute of Memory and Alzheimer’s Disease, 75013 Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1127, CNRS 7225, Paris Brain Institute- ICM, 75013 Paris, France
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12
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Rónai L, Hann F, Kéri S, Ettinger U, Polner B. Emotions under control? Better cognitive control is associated with reduced negative emotionality but increased negative emotional reactivity within individuals. Behav Res Ther 2024; 173:104462. [PMID: 38159416 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104462] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Associations between impaired cognitive control and maladaptive emotion regulation have been extensively studied between individuals. However, it remains unclear if this relationship holds within individuals. In this study, we tested the assumption that momentary within-person fluctuation in cognitive control (working memory updating and response inhibition) is associated with emotional reactivity in everyday life. We conducted an experience sampling study (eight two-hourly prompts daily) where participants repeatedly performed short 2-back and Go/no-go tasks in daily life. We assessed negative and positive affective states, and unpleasantness of a recent event to capture emotional reactivity. We analyzed two overlapping samples: a Go/no-go and a 2-back dataset (N = 161/158). Our results showed that better momentary working memory updating was associated with decreased negative affect if the recent event was on average unpleasant for the given individual. However, better-than-average working memory updating in interaction with higher event-unpleasantness predicted higher negative affect levels (i.e., higher negative emotional reactivity). These findings may challenge the account of better cognitive control being universally related to adaptive emotion regulation. Although it is unlikely that emotional reactivity boosts working memory, future studies should establish the direction of causality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levente Rónai
- Department of Cognitive Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; Institute of Psychology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Flóra Hann
- Department of Cognitive Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs Kéri
- Department of Cognitive Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary; National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery - Nyírő Gyula Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Bertalan Polner
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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13
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Kang MS, Yu-Chin C. Concurrent expectation and experience-based metacontrol: EEG insights and the role of working memory capacity. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024:10.3758/s13415-024-01163-2. [PMID: 38291309 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-024-01163-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
We investigated the simultaneous influence of expectation and experience on metacontrol, which we define as the instantiation of context-specific control states. These states could entail heightened control states in preparation for frequent task switching or lowered control states for task repetition. Specifically, we examined whether "expectations" regarding future control demands prompt proactive metacontrol, while "experiences" with items associated with specific control demands facilitate reactive metacontrol. In Experiment 1, we utilized EEG with a high temporal resolution to differentiate between brain activities associated with proactive and reactive metacontrol. We successfully observed cue-locked and image-locked ERP patterns associated with proactive and reactive metacontrol, respectively, supporting concurrent instantiation of two metacontrol modes. In Experiment 2, we focused on individual differences to investigate the modulatory role of working memory capacity (WMC) in the concurrent instantiation of two metacontrol modes. Our findings revealed that individuals with higher WMC exhibited enhanced proactive metacontrol, indicated by smaller response time variability (RTV). Additionally, individuals with higher WMC showed a lower tendency to rely on reactive metacontrol, indicated by a smaller item-specific switch probability (ISSP) effect. In conclusion, our results suggest that proactive and reactive metacontrol can coexist, but their interplay is influenced by individuals' WMC. Higher WMC promotes the use of proactive metacontrol while attenuating reliance on reactive metacontrol. This study provides insights into the interplay between proactive and reactive metacontrol and highlights the impact of WMC on their concurrent instantiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Kang
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - C Yu-Chin
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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14
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Nicolaï C, Chaumon M, van Wassenhove V. Cognitive effects on experienced duration and speed of time, prospectively, retrospectively, in and out of lockdown. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2006. [PMID: 38263171 PMCID: PMC10805715 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50752-7] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychological time is influenced by multiple factors such as arousal, emotion, attention and memory. While laboratory observations are well documented, it remains unclear whether cognitive effects on time perception replicate in real-life settings. This study exploits a set of data collected online during the Covid-19 pandemic, where participants completed a verbal working memory (WM) task in which their cognitive load was manipulated using a parametric n-back (1-back, 3-back). At the end of every WM trial, participants estimated the duration of that trial and rated the speed at which they perceived time was passing. In this within-participant design, we initially tested whether the amount of information stored in WM affected time perception in opposite directions depending on whether duration was estimated prospectively (i.e., when participants attend to time) or retrospectively (i.e., when participants do not attend to time). Second, we tested the same working hypothesis for the felt passage of time, which may capture a distinct phenomenology. Third, we examined the link between duration and speed of time, and found that short durations tended to be perceived as fast. Last, we contrasted two groups of individuals tested in and out of lockdown to evaluate the impact of social isolation. We show that duration and speed estimations were differentially affected by social isolation. We discuss and conclude on the influence of cognitive load on various experiences of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Nicolaï
- NeuroSpin, Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, CEA, INSERM, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191, Gif/Yvette, France.
- École Normale Supérieure, PSL, 75005, Paris, France.
| | - Maximilien Chaumon
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, APHP, CENIR, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Virginie van Wassenhove
- NeuroSpin, Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, CEA, INSERM, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191, Gif/Yvette, France.
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15
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Master SL, Li S, Curtis CE. Trying harder: how cognitive effort sculpts neural representations during working memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.07.570686. [PMID: 38106094 PMCID: PMC10723420 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.07.570686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The neural mechanisms by which motivational factors influence cognition remain unknown. Using fMRI, we tested how cognitive effort impacts working memory (WM). Participants were precued whether WM difficulty would be hard or easy. Hard trials demanded more effort as a later decision required finer mnemonic precision. Behaviorally, pupil size was larger and response times were slower on hard trials suggesting our manipulation of effort succeeded. Neurally, we observed robust persistent activity in prefrontal cortex, especially during hard trials. We found strong decoding of location in visual cortex, where accuracy was higher on hard trials. Connecting these across-region effects, we found that the amplitude of delay period activity in frontal cortex predicted decoded accuracy in visual cortex on a trial-wise basis. We conclude that the gain of persistent activity in frontal cortex may be the source of effort-related feedback signals that improve the quality of WM representations stored in visual cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Psychology, New York University
- Program in Psychology, New York University Abu Dhabi
| | - Clayton E. Curtis
- Department of Psychology, New York University
- Center for Neural Science, New York University
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16
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LoTemplio S, Silcox J, Murdock R, Strayer DL, Payne BR. To err is human- to understand error-processing is divine: Contributions of working memory and anxiety to error-related brain and pupil responses. Psychophysiology 2023; 60:e14392. [PMID: 37496438 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14392] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Both anxiety and working memory capacity appear to predict increased (more negative) error-related negativity (ERN) amplitudes, despite being inversely related to one another. Until the interactive effects of these variables on the ERN are clarified, there may be challenges posed to our ability to use the ERN as an endophenotype for anxiety, as some have suggested. The compensatory error monitoring hypothesis suggests that high trait-anxiety individuals have larger ERN amplitudes because they must employ extra, compensatory efforts to override the working memory demands of their anxiety. Yet, to our knowledge, no ERN study has employed direct manipulation of working memory demands in conjunction with direct manipulations of induced (state) anxiety. Furthermore, little is known about how these manipulations affect other measures of error processing, such as the error-related pupil dilation response and post-error behavioral adjustments. Therefore, we manipulate working memory load and anxiety in a 2 × 2 within-subjects design to examine the interactive effects of working memory load and anxiety on ERN amplitude, error-related pupil dilation response amplitude, and post-error behavior. There were no effects of our manipulations on ERN amplitude, suggesting a strong interpretation of compensatory error-processing theory. However, our worry manipulation affected post-error behavior, such that worry caused a reduction in post-error accuracy. Additionally, our working memory manipulation affected error-related PDR magnitude and the amplitude of the error-related positivity (Pe), such that increased working memory load decreased the amplitude of these responses. Implications of these results within the context of the compensatory error processing framework are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jack Silcox
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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17
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Huber M, Reuter L, Weitgasser L, Pletzer B, Rösch S, Illg A. Hearing loss, depression, and cognition in younger and older adult CI candidates. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1272210. [PMID: 37900591 PMCID: PMC10613094 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1272210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Hearing loss in old age is associated with cognitive decline and with depression. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between hearing loss, cognitive decline, and secondary depressive symptoms in a sample of younger and older cochlear implant candidates with profound to severe hearing loss. Methods This study is part of a larger cohort study designated to provide information on baseline data before CI. Sixty-one cochlear implant candidates with hearing loss from adulthood onwards (>18 years) were enrolled in this study. All had symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss in both ears (four-frequency hearing threshold difference of no more than 20 dB, PTA). Individuals with primary affective disorders, psychosis, below-average intelligence, poor German language skills, visual impairment, and a medical diagnosis with potential impact on cognition (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases,) were excluded. Four-frequency hearing thresholds (dB, PTA, better ear) were collected. Using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit, we assessed subjective hearing in noise. Clinical and subclinical depressive symptoms were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II). Cognitive status was assessed with a neurocognitive test battery. Results Our findings revealed a significant negative association between subjective hearing in noise (APHAB subscale "Background Noise") and BDII. However, we did not observe any link between hearing thresholds, depression, and cognition. Additionally, no differences emerged between younger (25-54 years) and older subjects (55-75 years). Unexpectedly, further unplanned analyses unveiled correlations between subjective hearing in quiet environments (APHAB) and cognitive performance [phonemic fluency (Regensburg Word Fluency), cognitive flexibility (TMTB), and nonverbal episodic memory (Nonverbal Learning Test), as well as subjective hearing of aversive/loud sounds (APHAB)], cognitive performance [semantic word fluency (RWT), and inhibition (Go/Nogo) and depression]. Duration of hearing loss and speech recognition at quiet (Freiburg Monosyllables) were not related to depression and cognitive performance. Conclusion Impact of hearing loss on mood and cognition appears to be independent, suggesting a relationship with distinct aspects of hearing loss. These results underscore the importance of considering not only conventional audiometric measures like hearing thresholds but also variables related to hearing abilities during verbal communication in everyday life, both in quiet and noisy settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Huber
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Lisa Reuter
- Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lennart Weitgasser
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, Center for Neurocognitive Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sebastian Rösch
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Angelika Illg
- Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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18
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Rabe F, Kikkert S, Wenderoth N. Performing a vibrotactile discrimination task modulates finger representations in primary somatosensory cortex. J Neurophysiol 2023; 130:1015-1027. [PMID: 37671429 PMCID: PMC10649835 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00428.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well established that vibrotactile stimuli are represented in somatotopic maps. However, less is known about whether these somatotopic representations are modulated by task demands and maybe even in the absence of tactile input. Here, we used a vibrotactile discrimination task as a tool to investigate these questions in further detail. Participants were required to actively perceive and process tactile stimuli in comparison to a no-task control condition where identical stimuli were passively perceived (no-memory condition). Importantly, both vibrotactile stimuli were either applied to the right index or little finger, allowing us to investigate whether cognitive task demands shape finger representations in primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Using multivoxel pattern analysis and representational similarity analysis, we found that S1 finger representations were more distinct during the memory than the no-memory condition. Interestingly, this effect was not only observed while tactile stimuli were presented but also during the delay period (i.e., in the absence of tactile stimulation). Our findings imply that when individuals are required to focus on tactile stimuli, retain them in their memory, and engage in active processing of distinctive stimulus features, this exerts a modulatory effect on the finger representations present in S1.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using multivoxel pattern analysis, we found that discrimination task demands shape finger representations in the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex (S1), and that somatotopic representations are modulated by task demands not only during tactile stimulation but also to a certain extent in the absence of tactile input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn Rabe
- Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sanne Kikkert
- Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Wenderoth
- Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
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19
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Zhou Y, Xia X, Zhao X, Yang R, Wu Y, Liu J, Lyu X, Li Z, Zhang G, Du X. Efficacy and safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive function in chronic schizophrenia with Tardive Dyskinesia (TD): a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, clinical trial. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:623. [PMID: 37620825 PMCID: PMC10464035 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS) led to an improvement of cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia, but rare study has explored the effect of tDCS on long-term hospitalized chronic schizophrenia with tardive dyskinesia (TD). The present research explored if cognitive function in patients with long-term hospitalized chronic schizophrenia with TD could be improved through tDCS. METHODS This study is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. Of the 52 patients, 14 dropped out, and 38 completed the experiment. Thirty-eight patients on stable treatment regimens were randomly assigned to receive active tDCS(n = 21) or sham stimulation(n = 17) on weekdays of the first, third, and fifth weeks of treatment. Patients performed the Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM) and the Intra/Extradimensional Set Shift (IED) from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) at baseline and the end of week 3, week 5. Clinical symptoms were also measured at the baseline and the fifth week using the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Side effects of tDCS were assessed with an experimenter-administered open-ended questionnaire during the whole experiment. RESULTS There were no significant differences in PRM and IED performance metrics, SANS total score and PANSS total score between active and sham tDCS groups at the end of week 5 (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the adverse effects of the tingling sensation between the two groups (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in other side effects (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION According to these findings, no evidence supports using anodal stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to improve cognitive function in patients with long-term hospitalized chronic schizophrenia with TD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Suzhou Guangji Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xingzhi Xia
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Suzhou Guangji Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xueli Zhao
- Suzhou Guangji Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ruchang Yang
- Suzhou Guangji Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuxuan Wu
- Suzhou Guangji Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Junjun Liu
- Nanjing Meishan Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoli Lyu
- Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Suzhou Guangji Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guangya Zhang
- Suzhou Guangji Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiangdong Du
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
- Suzhou Guangji Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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20
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Pan Y, Hao N, Liu N, Zhao Y, Cheng X, Ku Y, Hu Y. Mnemonic-trained brain tuning to a regular odd-even pattern subserves digit memory in children. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2023; 8:27. [PMID: 37567915 PMCID: PMC10421878 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-023-00177-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
It is said that our species use mnemonics - that "magic of memorization" - to engrave an enormous amount of information in the brain. Yet, it is unclear how mnemonics affect memory and what the neural underpinnings are. In this electroencephalography study, we examined the hypotheses whether mnemonic training improved processing-efficiency and/or altered encoding-pattern to support memory enhancement. By 22-day training of a digit-image mnemonic (a custom memory technique used by world-class mnemonists), a group of children showed increased short-term memory after training, but with limited gain generalization. This training resulted in regular odd-even neural patterns (i.e., enhanced P200 and theta power during the encoding of digits at even- versus odd- positions in a sequence). Critically, the P200 and theta power effects predicted the training-induced memory improvement. These findings provide evidence of how mnemonics alter encoding pattern, as reflected in functional brain organization, to support memory enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafeng Pan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- The State Key Lab of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ning Hao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- School of Psychology, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Yijie Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojun Cheng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yixuan Ku
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-sen Unviersity, Guangzhou, China.
- Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Yi Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
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21
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Öztel T, Balci F. Temporal Error Monitoring Does Not Depend on Working Memory. Psychol Rep 2023:332941231187121. [PMID: 37439072 DOI: 10.1177/00332941231187121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) and metacognition has been documented to be in a reciprocal relationship. This study aims to address if temporal error monitoring performance can be diminished with increased working memory load. We hypothesized that if temporal error monitoring has commonalities with perceptual error monitoring, temporal error monitoring performance should be diminished by increased working memory load. Participants completed a temporal error monitoring task in a dual task design in which the secondary task was a letter alphabetization task. Results revealed no disrupting effect of WM load on either confidence or short-long judgments as being different metrics of temporal error monitoring ability. These results demonstrate that unlike perceptual error monitoring, WM and temporal error monitoring have distinct processing mechanisms. With this result, the current study suggests that temporal and perceptual error monitoring may partially rely on different mechanisms. Results are discussed within A Theory of Magnitude (ATOM), pacemaker-accumulator model and temporal error monitoring frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tutku Öztel
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fuat Balci
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
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22
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Dumas JA, Bunn JY, LaMantia MA, McIsaac C, Senft Miller A, Nop O, Testo A, Soares BP, Mank MM, Poynter ME, Lawrence Kien C. Alteration of brain function and systemic inflammatory tone in older adults by decreasing the dietary palmitic acid intake. AGING BRAIN 2023; 3:100072. [PMID: 37408793 PMCID: PMC10318304 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2023.100072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Prior studies in younger adults showed that reducing the normally high intake of the saturated fatty acid, palmitic acid (PA), in the North American diet by replacing it with the monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid (OA), decreased blood concentrations and secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 and changed brain activation in regions of the working memory network. We examined the effects of these fatty acid manipulations in the diet of older adults. Ten subjects, aged 65-75 years, participated in a randomized, cross-over trial comparing 1-week high PA versus low PA/high OA diets. We evaluated functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using an N-back test of working memory and a resting state scan, cytokine secretion by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PBMCs, and plasma cytokine concentrations. During the low PA compared to the high PA diet, we observed increased activation for the 2-back minus 0-back conditions in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Broadman Area (BA) 9; p < 0.005), but the effect of diet on working memory performance was not significant (p = 0.09). We observed increased connectivity between anterior regions of the salience network during the low PA/high OA diet (p < 0.001). The concentrations of IL-1β (p = 0.026), IL-8 (p = 0.013), and IL-6 (p = 0.009) in conditioned media from LPS-stimulated PBMCs were lower during the low PA/high OA diet. This study suggests that lowering the dietary intake of PA down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and altered working memory, task-based activation and resting state functional connectivity in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Dumas
- Department of Psychiatry, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Janice Y Bunn
- Department of Medical Biostatistics, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Michael A LaMantia
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Catherine McIsaac
- Clinical Research Center, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Anna Senft Miller
- Department of Psychiatry, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Olivia Nop
- Department of Psychiatry, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Abigail Testo
- Department of Psychiatry, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Bruno P Soares
- Department of Radiology, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Madeleine M Mank
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Matthew E Poynter
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - C Lawrence Kien
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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23
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Qin Y, Jiang S, Xiong S, Li S, Fu Q, Yang L, Du P, Luo C, Yao D. Unbalance between working memory task-activation and task-deactivation networks in epilepsy: Simultaneous EEG-fMRI study. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1188-1199. [PMID: 36866516 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25183] [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: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is a cognitive function involving emergent properties of theta oscillations and large-scale network interactions. The synchronization of WM task-related networks in the brain enhanced WM performance. However, how these networks regulate WM processing is not well known, and the alteration of the interaction among these networks may play an important role in patients with cognitive dysfunction. In this study, we used simultaneous EEG-fMRI to examine the features of theta oscillations and the functional interactions among activation/deactivation networks during the n-back WM task in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). The results showed that there was more enhancement of frontal theta power along with WM load increase in IGE, and the theta power was positively correlated with the accuracy of the WM tasks. Moreover, fMRI activations/deactivations correlated with n-back tasks were estimated, and we found that the IGE group had increased and widespread activations in high-load WM tasks, including the frontoparietal activation network and task-related deactivation areas, such as the default mode network and primary visual and auditory networks. In addition, the network connectivity results demonstrated decreased counteraction between the activation network and deactivation network, and the counteraction was correlated with the higher theta power in IGE. These results indicated the important role of the interactions between activation and deactivation networks during the WM process, and the unbalance among them may indicate the pathophysiological mechanism of cognitive dysfunction in generalized epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Qin
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Sichuan Institute for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Chengdu, China
| | - Sisi Jiang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Siwei Xiong
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Sipei Li
- Glasgow College, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiankun Fu
- Glasgow College, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lili Yang
- Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Peishan Du
- Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Dezhong Yao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Sichuan Institute for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Chengdu, China
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24
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Zyuzin J, Combs D, Melrose J, Kodaverdian N, Leather C, Carrillo JD, Monterosso JR, Brocas I. The neural correlates of value representation: From single items to bundles. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:1476-1495. [PMID: 36440955 PMCID: PMC9921239 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the core questions in Neuro-economics is to determine where value is represented. To date, most studies have focused on simple options and identified the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) as the common value region. We report the findings of an fMRI study in which we asked participants to make pairwise comparisons involving options of varying complexity: single items (Control condition), bundles made of the same two single items (Scaling condition) and bundles made of two different single items (Bundling condition). We construct a measure of choice consistency to capture how coherent the choices of a participant are with one another. We also record brain activity while participants make these choices. We find that a common core of regions involving the left VMPFC, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), regions associated with complex visual processing and the left cerebellum track value across all conditions. Also, regions in the DLPFC, the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and the cerebellum are differentially recruited across conditions. Last, variations in activity in VMPFC and DLPFC value-tracking regions are associated with variations in choice consistency. This suggests that value based decision-making recruits a core set of regions as well as specific regions based on task demands. Further, correlations between consistency and the magnitude of signal change with lateral portions of the PFC suggest the possibility that activity in these regions may play a causal role in decision quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dalton Combs
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - James Melrose
- Department of EconomicsUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Niree Kodaverdian
- Argyros School of Business and EconomicsChapman UniversityOrangeCAUSA
| | - Calvin Leather
- Department of EconomicsUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Juan D. Carrillo
- Department of EconomicsUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - John R. Monterosso
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Isabelle Brocas
- Department of EconomicsUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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Effects of neuromodulation on executive functions and food desires in individuals with obesity: a systematic review. NUTR HOSP 2023; 40:177-185. [PMID: 36537330 DOI: 10.20960/nh.04100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Objective: to describe the effects of neuromodulation on the performance of executive functions in overweight and/or individuals with obesity. Methods: articles published in PubMed, ScienceDirect, BIREME, and Web of Science databases were selected using the following combination of descriptors: ("problem solving" OR "executive function" OR memory) AND (tDCS OR TMS) AND obesity. After applying the selection criteria, 08 articles were included for analysis. Results: the articles included had an average of 30.1 participants per study, with a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 76. The overall nutritional status ranged from underweight to grade 3 obesity, and the general mean body mass index was 28,1 kg/m2. Regarding the instruments used to assess executive functions, the most frequent were: the flanker paradigm; binocular rivalry for Continuous Flash Suppression (bCFS/NoCFS); Stroop task; Go/No-Go task; and N-back task. The primary outcomes were dependent on the neuromodulation target site. Reduced food craving and improved performance in the active group were observed from decreased response time and increased precision in cognitive tasks. Conclusion: neuromodulation can generate changes in executive functions, reducing food cravings in overweight and individuals with obesity.
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Tan H, Gerchen MF, Bach P, Lee AM, Hummel O, Sommer W, Kirsch P, Kiefer F, Vollstädt-Klein S. Decoding fMRI alcohol cue reactivity and its association with drinking behaviour. BMJ MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 26:e300639. [PMID: 36822819 PMCID: PMC10035780 DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2022-300639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cue reactivity, the enhanced sensitivity to conditioned cues, is associated with habitual and compulsive alcohol consumption. However, most previous studies in alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared brain activity between alcohol and neutral conditions, solely as cue-triggered neural reactivity. OBJECTIVE This study aims to find the neural subprocesses during the processing of visual alcohol cues in AUD individuals, and how these neural patterns are predictive for relapse. METHODS Using cue reactivity and rating tasks, we separately modelled the patterns decoding the processes of visual object recognition and reward appraisal of alcohol cues with representational similarity analysis, and compared the decoding involvements (ie, distance between neural responses and hypothesised decoding models) between AUD and healthy individuals. We further explored connectivity between the identified neural systems and the whole brain and predicted relapse within 6 months using decoding involvements of the neural patterns. FINDINGS AUD individuals, compared with healthy individuals, showed higher involvement of motor-related brain regions in decoding visual features, and their reward, habit and executive networks were more engaged in appraising reward values. Connectivity analyses showed the involved neural systems were widely connected with higher cognitive networks during alcohol cue processing in AUD individuals, and decoding involvements of frontal eye fields and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex could contribute to relapse prediction. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide insight into how AUD individuals differently decode alcohol cues compared with healthy participants, from the componential processes of visual object recognition and reward appraisal. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The identified patterns are suggested as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoye Tan
- Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Martin Fungisai Gerchen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Heidelberg/Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Bach
- Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alycia M Lee
- Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Oliver Hummel
- Faculty of Computer Science, Hochschule Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sommer
- Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Bethanian Hospital for Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Peter Kirsch
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Heidelberg/Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Falk Kiefer
- Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Mannheim Center for Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Feuerlein Center on Translational Addiction Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Vollstädt-Klein
- Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Mannheim Center for Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Lu Q, Zhao Y, Huang L, An J, Zheng Y, Yap EH. Low-Dimensional-Materials-Based Flexible Artificial Synapse: Materials, Devices, and Systems. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:373. [PMID: 36770333 PMCID: PMC9921566 DOI: 10.3390/nano13030373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, there is an explosion of available data for processing and analysis in any domain. However, signal processing efficiency is limited by the Von Neumann structure for the conventional computing system. Therefore, the design and construction of artificial synapse, which is the basic unit for the hardware-based neural network, by mimicking the structure and working mechanisms of biological synapses, have attracted a great amount of attention to overcome this limitation. In addition, a revolution in healthcare monitoring, neuro-prosthetics, and human-machine interfaces can be further realized with a flexible device integrating sensing, memory, and processing functions by emulating the bionic sensory and perceptual functions of neural systems. Until now, flexible artificial synapses and related neuromorphic systems, which are capable of responding to external environmental stimuli and processing signals efficiently, have been extensively studied from material-selection, structure-design, and system-integration perspectives. Moreover, low-dimensional materials, which show distinct electrical properties and excellent mechanical properties, have been extensively employed in the fabrication of flexible electronics. In this review, recent progress in flexible artificial synapses and neuromorphic systems based on low-dimensional materials is discussed. The potential and the challenges of the devices and systems in the application of neuromorphic computing and sensory systems are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifeng Lu
- School of CHIPS, XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Taicang Avenue, Taicang, Suzhou 215488, China
| | - Yinchao Zhao
- School of CHIPS, XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Taicang Avenue, Taicang, Suzhou 215488, China
| | - Long Huang
- School of Intelligent Manufacturing Ecosystem, XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Taicang Avenue, Taicang, Suzhou 215488, China
| | - Jiabao An
- School of Intelligent Manufacturing Ecosystem, XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Taicang Avenue, Taicang, Suzhou 215488, China
| | - Yufan Zheng
- School of Intelligent Manufacturing Ecosystem, XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Taicang Avenue, Taicang, Suzhou 215488, China
| | - Eng Hwa Yap
- School of Robotics, XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Taicang Avenue, Taicang, Suzhou 215488, China
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Chen X, Sorenson E, Hwang K. Thalamocortical contributions to working memory processes during the n-back task. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 197:107701. [PMID: 36435360 PMCID: PMC9805524 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2022.107701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Working memory allows individuals to temporally maintain and manipulate information that is no longer accessible from the sensorium. Whereas prior studies have detailed frontoparietal contributions to working memory processes, less emphasis has been placed on subcortical regions, in particular the human thalamus. The thalamus has a complex anatomy that consists of several distinct nuclei, many of which have dense anatomical connectivity with frontoparietal regions, and thus might play an important yet underspecified role for working memory. The goal of our study is to characterize the detailed functional neuroanatomy of the human thalamus and thalamocortical interactions during the n-back task. To that end, we analyzed an n-back fMRI dataset consisting of 395 subjects from the Human Connectome Project (HCP). We found that thalamic nuclei in the anterior, medial, ventral lateral, and posterior medial thalamus showed stronger evoked responses in response to higher working memory load. Activity in most thalamic nuclei were only modulated by working memory load, but not by categorical membership of the memorized stimuli, suggesting that thalamic function supports domain-general processing for working memory. To determine whether thalamocortical interactions contribute to cortical activity for working memory, we employed an activity flow mapping analysis to test whether thalamocortical interactions can predict cortical task activity patterns. In support, this data-driven thalamocortical interaction model explained a significant amount of variance in the observed cortical activity patterns modulated by working memory load. Our results suggest that the anterior, medial, and posterior medial thalamus, and their associated thalamocortical interactions, contribute to the modulations of distributed cortical activity during working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xitong Chen
- Cognitive Control Collaborative, The University of Iowa, 340 Iowa Ave, Iowa City, IA 52242-1407, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Science, The University of Iowa, 340 Iowa Ave, Iowa City, IA 52242-1407, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, 169 Newton Road, 2312, Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States.
| | - Evan Sorenson
- Cognitive Control Collaborative, The University of Iowa, 340 Iowa Ave, Iowa City, IA 52242-1407, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Science, The University of Iowa, 340 Iowa Ave, Iowa City, IA 52242-1407, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, 169 Newton Road, 2312, Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Kai Hwang
- Cognitive Control Collaborative, The University of Iowa, 340 Iowa Ave, Iowa City, IA 52242-1407, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Science, The University of Iowa, 340 Iowa Ave, Iowa City, IA 52242-1407, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, 169 Newton Road, 2312, Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
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Witztum J, Singh A, Zhang R, Johnson M, Liston C. An automated platform for Assessing Working Memory and prefrontal circuit function. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 24:100518. [PMID: 36970451 PMCID: PMC10033752 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Working memory is a process for actively maintaining and updating task-relevant information, despite interference from competing inputs, and is supported in part by sustained activity in prefrontal cortical pyramidal neurons and coordinated interactions with inhibitory interneurons, which may serve to regulate interference. Chronic stress has potent effects on working memory performance, possibly by interfering with these interactions or by disrupting long-range inputs from key upstream brain regions. Still, the mechanisms by which chronic stress disrupts working memory are not well understood, due in part to a need for scalable, easy-to-implement behavioral assays that are compatible with two-photon calcium imaging and other tools for recording from large populations of neurons. Here, we describe the development and validation of a platform that was designed specifically for automated, high-throughput assessments of working memory and simultaneous two-photon imaging in chronic stress studies. This platform is relatively inexpensive and easy to build; fully automated and scalable such that one investigator can test relatively large cohorts of animals concurrently; fully compatible with two-photon imaging, yet also designed to mitigate head-fixation stress; and can be easily adapted for other behavioral paradigms. Our validation data confirm that mice could be trained to perform a delayed response working memory task with relatively high-fidelity over the course of ∼15 days. Two-photon imaging data validate the feasibility of recording from large populations of cells during working memory tasks performance and characterizing their functional properties. Activity patterns in >70% of medial prefrontal cortical neurons were modulated by at least one task feature, and a majority of cells were engaged by multiple task features. We conclude with a brief literature review of the circuit mechanisms supporting working memory and their disruption in chronic stress states-highlighting directions for future research enabled by this platform.
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An fNIRS Study of Applicability of the Unity-Diversity Model of Executive Functions in Preschoolers. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12121722. [PMID: 36552181 PMCID: PMC9776044 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12121722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Executive function (EF) includes a set of higher-order abilities that control one's actions and thoughts consciously and has a protracted developmental trajectory that parallels the maturation of the frontal lobes, which develop speedily over the preschool period. To fully understand the development of EF in preschoolers, this study examined the relationship among the three domains of executive function (cognitive shifting, inhibitory control, and working memory) to test the applicability of the unity-diversity model in preschoolers using both behavioral and fNIRS approaches. Altogether, 58 Chinese preschoolers (34 boys, 24 girls, Mage = 5.86 years, SD = 0.53, age range = 4.83-6.67 years) were administered the Dimensional Card Change Sort (DCCS), go/no-go, and missing scan task. Their brain activations in the prefrontal cortex during the tasks were examined using fNIRS. First, the behavioral results indicated that the missing scan task scores (working memory) correlated with the DCCS (cognitive shifting) and go/no-go tasks (inhibitory control). However, the latter two did not correlate with each other. Second, the fNIRS results demonstrated that the prefrontal activations during the working memory task correlated with those in the same regions during the cognitive shifting and inhibitory control tasks. However, the latter two still did not correlate. The behavioral and neuroimaging evidence jointly indicates that the unity-diversity model of EF does apply to Chinese preschoolers.
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Guo X, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Wu C. Programming ability prediction: Applying an attention-based convolutional neural network to functional near-infrared spectroscopy analyses of working memory. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1058609. [PMID: 36532289 PMCID: PMC9751487 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1058609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Although theoretical studies have suggested that working-memory capacity is crucial for academic achievement, few empirical studies have directly investigated the relationship between working-memory capacity and programming ability, and no direct neural evidence has been reported to support this relationship. The present study aimed to fill this gap in the literature. Using a between-subject design, 17 programming novices and 18 advanced students performed an n-back working-memory task. During the experiment, their prefrontal hemodynamic responses were measured using a 48-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device. The results indicated that the advanced students had a higher working-memory capacity than the novice students, validating the relationship between programming ability and working memory. The analysis results also showed that the hemodynamic responses in the prefrontal cortex can be used to discriminate between novices and advanced students. Additionally, we utilized an attention-based convolutional neural network to analyze the spatial domains of the fNIRS signals and demonstrated that the left prefrontal cortex was more important than other brain regions for programming ability prediction. This result was consistent with the results of statistical analysis, which in turn improved the interpretability of neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Guo
- School of Information and Electronic Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Information and Electronic Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuzhong Zhang
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Chennan Wu
- School of Information and Electronic Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
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Frankle WG, Himes M, Mason NS, Mathis CA, Narendran R. Prefrontal and Striatal Dopamine Release Are Inversely Correlated in Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:791-799. [PMID: 35791965 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dopamine (DA) hypothesis postulates hyperactivity of subcortical DA transmission and hypoactivity of cortical DA in schizophrenia (SCH). Positron emission tomography provides the ability to assess this hypothesis in humans. However, no studies have examined the relationship between cortical DA and striatal DA in this illness. METHODS D2/3 receptor radiotracer [11C]FLB457 BPND (binding potential relative to nondisplaceable uptake) was measured in 14 off-medication subjects with SCH and 14 healthy control (HC) subjects at baseline and after the administration of 0.5 mg/kg oral d-amphetamine. The amphetamine-induced change in BPND (ΔBPND) was calculated as the difference between BPND in the postamphetamine condition and BPND in the baseline condition and expressed as a percentage of BPND at baseline. DA release in the striatum using the radiotracer [11C]NPA was also measured in these subjects. RESULTS [11C]FLB457 ΔBPND was greater in the HC group compared with the SCH group (F1,26 = 5.7; p = .02) with significant differences in [11C]FLB457 ΔBPND seen across cortical brain regions. Only in the SCH group was a significant negative correlation observed between [11C]FLB457 ΔBPND in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and [11C]NPA ΔBPND in the dorsal caudate (r = -0.71, p = .005). CONCLUSIONS Subjects with SCH demonstrated deficits of DA release in cortical brain regions relative to HC subjects. Examining both cortical and striatal DA release in the same subjects demonstrated an inverse relationship between cortical DA release and striatal DA release in SCH not present in HC subjects, providing support for the current DA hypothesis of SCH.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Gordon Frankle
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
| | - Michael Himes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - N Scott Mason
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Chester A Mathis
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rajesh Narendran
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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de Freitas PH, Monteiro RC, Bertani R, Perret CM, Rodrigues PC, Vicentini J, de Morais TMG, Rozental SF, Galvão GF, de Mattos F, Vasconcelos FA, Dorio IS, Hayashi CY, dos Santos JR, Werneck GL, Tocquer CTF, Capitão C, da Cruz LCH, Tulviste J, Fiorani M, da Silva MM, Paiva WS, Podell K, Federoff HJ, Patel DH, Lado F, Goldberg E, Llinás R, Bennett MV, Rozental R. E.L., a modern-day Phineas Gage: Revisiting frontal lobe injury. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2022; 14:100340. [PMID: 36777390 PMCID: PMC9903712 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2022.100340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND How the prefrontal cortex (PFC) recovers its functionality following lesions remains a conundrum. Recent work has uncovered the importance of transient low-frequency oscillatory activity (LFO; < 4 Hz) for the recovery of an injured brain. We aimed to determine whether persistent cortical oscillatory dynamics contribute to brain capability to support 'normal life' following injury. METHODS In this 9-year prospective longitudinal study (08/2012-2021), we collected data from the patient E.L., a modern-day Phineas Gage, who suffered from lesions, impacting 11% of his total brain mass, to his right PFC and supplementary motor area after his skull was transfixed by an iron rod. A systematic evaluation of clinical, electrophysiologic, brain imaging, neuropsychological and behavioural testing were used to clarify the clinical significance of relationship between LFO discharge and executive dysfunctions and compare E.L.´s disorders to that attributed to Gage (1848), a landmark in the history of neurology and neuroscience. FINDINGS Selective recruitment of the non-injured left hemisphere during execution of unimanual right-hand movements resulted in the emergence of robust LFO, an EEG-detected marker for disconnection of brain areas, in the damaged right hemisphere. In contrast, recruitment of the damaged right hemisphere during contralateral hand movement, resulted in the co-activation of the left hemisphere and decreased right hemisphere LFO to levels of controls enabling performance, suggesting a target for neuromodulation. Similarly, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), used to create a temporary virtual-lesion over E.L.'s healthy hemisphere, disrupted the modulation of contralateral LFO, disturbing behaviour and impairing executive function tasks. In contrast to Gage, reasoning, planning, working memory, social, sexual and family behaviours eluded clinical inspection by decreasing LFO in the delta frequency range during motor and executive functioning. INTERPRETATION Our study suggests that modulation of LFO dynamics is an important mechanism by which PFC accommodates neurological injuries, supporting the reports of Gage´s recovery, and represents an attractive target for therapeutic interventions. FUNDING Fundação de Amparo Pesquisa Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (intramural), and Fiocruz/Ministery of Health (INOVA Fiocruz).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H.M. de Freitas
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Ruy C. Monteiro
- Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22430-160, Brazil
| | - Raphael Bertani
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
- Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22430-160, Brazil
| | - Caio M. Perret
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
- Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22430-160, Brazil
| | - Pedro C. Rodrigues
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Joana Vicentini
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gustavo F. Galvão
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Fabricio de Mattos
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Fernando A. Vasconcelos
- Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22430-160, Brazil
- Dept Neurocirurgia, HUGG, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), RJ, 20270-004, Brazil
| | - Ivan S. Dorio
- Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22430-160, Brazil
| | - Cintya Y. Hayashi
- Dept Neurologia, Universidade do Estado de São Paulo, SP, 05402-000, Brazil
| | | | - Guilherme L. Werneck
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Jaan Tulviste
- University of Tartu, Institute of Psychology, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mario Fiorani
- Instituto de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Marcos M. da Silva
- Dept Neurologia, HUCFF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | | | - Kenneth Podell
- Neurological Institute, Houston Methodist, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | | | - Fred Lado
- Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Elkhonon Goldberg
- Dept Neurology, New York University, School of Medicine, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Rodolfo Llinás
- Dept. Physiology and Neuroscience, New York University, School of Medicine, NY, 10016, USA
| | | | - Renato Rozental
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
- Dept Neuroscience, Albert Einstein Coll Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- Centro Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (CDTS), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-361, Brazil
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Menu I, Rezende G, Le Stanc L, Borst G, Cachia A. Inhibitory control training on executive functions of children and adolescents: A latent change score model approach. COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2022.101231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Lucia M, Romanella SM, Di Lorenzo G, Demchenko I, Bhat V, Rossi S, Santarnecchi E. Neural correlates of N-back task performance and proposal for corresponding neuromodulation targets in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 76:512-524. [PMID: 35773784 PMCID: PMC10603255 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM Working memory (WM) deficit represents the most common cognitive impairment in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, making the identification of its neural substrates a crucial step towards the conceptualization of restorative interventions. We present a meta-analysis focusing on neural activations associated with the most commonly used task to measure WM, the N-back task, in patients with schizophrenia, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Showing qualitative similarities and differences in WM processing between patients and healthy controls, we propose possible targets for cognitive enhancement approaches. METHODS Selected studies, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, were analyzed through the activation likelihood estimate statistical framework, with subsequent generation of disorder-specific N-back activation maps. RESULTS Despite similar WM deficits shared across all disorders, results highlighted different brain activation patterns for each disorder compared with healthy controls. In general, results showed brain activity in frontal, parietal, subcortical, and cerebellar regions; however, reduced engagement of specific nodes of the fronto-parietal network emerged in patients compared with healthy controls. In particular, neither bipolar nor depressive disorders showed detectable activations in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, while their parietal activation patterns were lateralized to the left and right hemispheres, respectively. On the other hand, patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder showed a lack of activation in the left parietal lobe, whereas patients with schizophrenia showed lower activity over the left prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSION These results, together with biophysical modeling, were then used to discuss the design of future disorder-specific cognitive enhancement interventions based on noninvasive brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mencarelli Lucia
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy
- Precision Neuromodulation Program & Network Control Laboratory, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara M Romanella
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy
- Precision Neuromodulation Program & Network Control Laboratory, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giorgio Di Lorenzo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilya Demchenko
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Centre for Depression & Suicide Studies, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Venkat Bhat
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Centre for Depression & Suicide Studies, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simone Rossi
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy
- Human Physiology Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy
- Precision Neuromodulation Program & Network Control Laboratory, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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36
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Mulyana B, Tsuchiyagaito A, Misaki M, Kuplicki R, Smith J, Soleimani G, Rashedi A, Shereen D, Bergman TO, Cheng S, Paulus MP, Bodurka J, Ekhtiari H. Online closed-loop real-time tES-fMRI for brain modulation: A technical report. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2667. [PMID: 36134450 PMCID: PMC9575607 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) can be performed during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The novel approach of using concurrent tES-fMRI to modulate and measure targeted brain activity/connectivity may provide unique insights into the causal interactions between the brain neural responses and psychiatric/neurologic signs and symptoms, and importantly, guide the development of new treatments. However, tES stimulation parameters to optimally influence the underlying brain activity may vary with respect to phase difference, frequency, intensity, and electrode's montage among individuals. Here, we propose a protocol for closed-loop tES-fMRI to optimize the frequency and phase difference of alternating current stimulation (tACS) for two nodes (frontal and parietal regions) in individual participants. We carefully considered the challenges in an online optimization of tES parameters with concurrent fMRI, specifically in its safety, artifact in fMRI image quality, online evaluation of the tES effect, and parameter optimization method, and we designed the protocol to run an effective study to enhance frontoparietal connectivity and working memory performance with the optimized tACS using closed-loop tES-fMRI. We provide technical details of the protocol, including electrode types, electrolytes, electrode montages, concurrent tES-fMRI hardware, online fMRI processing pipelines, and the optimization algorithm. We confirmed the implementation of this protocol worked successfully with a pilot experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beni Mulyana
- Laureate Institute for Brain ResearchTulsaOklahomaUSA
- Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of OklahomaTulsaOklahomaUSA
| | | | - Masaya Misaki
- Laureate Institute for Brain ResearchTulsaOklahomaUSA
| | | | - Jared Smith
- Laureate Institute for Brain ResearchTulsaOklahomaUSA
| | - Ghazaleh Soleimani
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringAmirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
- Iranian National Center for Addiction StudiesTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | | | - Duke Shereen
- The Graduate Center of the City University of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Til Ole Bergman
- Neuroimaging Center (NIC)University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University MainzGermany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR)MainzGermany
| | - Samuel Cheng
- Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of OklahomaTulsaOklahomaUSA
| | | | - Jerzy Bodurka
- Laureate Institute for Brain ResearchTulsaOklahomaUSA
- Stephenson School of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of OklahomaNormanOklahomaUSA
| | - Hamed Ekhtiari
- Laureate Institute for Brain ResearchTulsaOklahomaUSA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
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37
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Suhail T, Indiradevi K, Suhara E, Poovathinal SA, Ayyappan A. Distinguishing cognitive states using electroencephalography local activation and functional connectivity patterns. Biomed Signal Process Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2022.103742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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38
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Habeck C, Gazes Y, Stern Y. Age-Specific Activation Patterns and Inter-Subject Similarity During Verbal Working Memory Maintenance and Cognitive Reserve. Front Psychol 2022; 13:852995. [PMID: 35756196 PMCID: PMC9218333 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.852995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive Reserve (CR), according to a recent consensus definition of the NIH-funded Reserve and Resilience collaboratory, is constituted by any mechanism contributing to cognitive performance beyond, or interacting with, brain structure in the widest sense. To identity multivariate activation patterns fulfilling this postulate, we investigated a verbal Sternberg fMRI task and imaged 181 people with age coverage in the ranges 20-30 (44 participants) and 55-70 (137 participants). Beyond task performance, participants were characterized in terms of demographics, and neuropsychological assessments of vocabulary, episodic memory, perceptual speed, and abstract fluid reasoning. Participants studied an array of either one, three, or six upper-case letters for 3 s (=encoding phase), then a blank fixation screen was presented for 7 s (=maintenance phase), to be probed with a lower-case letter to which they responded with a differential button press whether the letter was part of the studied array or not (=retrieval phase). We focused on identifying maintenance-related activation patterns showing memory load increases in pattern score on an individual participant level for both age groups. We found such a pattern that increased with memory load for all but one person in the young participants (p < 0.001), and such a pattern for all participants in the older group (p < 0.001). Both patterns showed broad topographic similarities; however, relationships to task performance and neuropsychological characteristics were markedly different and point to individual differences in Cognitive Reserve. Beyond the derivation of group-level activation patterns, we also investigated the inter-subject spatial similarity of individual working memory rehearsal patterns in the older participants' group as a function of neuropsychological and task performance, education, and mean cortical thickness. Higher task accuracy and neuropsychological function was reliably associated with higher inter-subject similarity of individual-level activation patterns in older participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Habeck
- Cognitive Neuroscience Division, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
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39
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Lanssens A, Mantini D, de Beeck HO, Gillebert CR. Activity in the Fronto-Parietal and Visual Cortex Is Modulated by Feature-Based Attentional Weighting. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:838683. [PMID: 35546874 PMCID: PMC9082947 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.838683] [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: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In day-to-day dynamic activities where sensory input is abundant, stimulus representations in the visual cortex are modulated based on their attentional priority. Several studies have established the top-down role of a fronto-parietal dorsal attention network in selective attention. In the current study, we aimed to investigate whether activity of subregions of this network and the visual cortex is modulated by feature-based attentional weighting, and if so, whether their timecourses of activity are correlated. To this end, we analyzed fMRI data of 28 healthy subjects, who performed a feature-based go/no-go task. Participants had to attend to one or two colored streams of sinusoidal gratings and respond to each grating in the task-relevant stream(s) except to a single non-target grating. Univariate and multivariate fMRI results indicated that activity in bilateral fronto-parietal (frontal eye fields, intraparietal sulcus and superior parietal lobe) and visual (V1-V4, lateral occipital cortex and fusiform gyrus) regions was modulated by selecting one instead of attending to two gratings. Functional connectivity was not significantly different between fronto-parietal and visual regions when attending to one as opposed to two gratings. Our study demonstrates that activity in subregions of both the fronto-parietal and visual cortex is modified by feature-based attentional weighting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armien Lanssens
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dante Mantini
- Research Center for Motor Control and Neuroplasticity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Brain Imaging and Neural Dynamics Research Group, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy
| | - Hans Op de Beeck
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Celine R Gillebert
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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40
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Youn C, Grotzinger AD, Lill CM, Bertram L, Schmiedek F, Lövdén M, Lindenberger U, Nivard M, Harden KP, Tucker-Drob EM. Genetic associations with learning over 100 days of practice. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2022; 7:7. [PMID: 35508486 PMCID: PMC9068685 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-022-00121-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive performance is both heritable and sensitive to environmental inputs and sustained practice over time. However, it is currently unclear how genetic effects on cognitive performance change over the course of learning. We examine how polygenic scores (PGS) created from genome-wide association studies of educational attainment and cognitive performance are related to improvements in performance across nine cognitive tests (measuring perceptual speed, working memory, and episodic memory) administered to 131 adults (N = 51, ages = 20-31, and N = 80, ages = 65-80 years) repeatedly across 100 days. We observe that PGS associations with performance on a given task can change over the course of learning, with the specific pattern of change in associations differing across tasks. PGS correlations with pre-test to post-test scores may mask variability in how soon learning occurs over the course of practice. The associations between PGS and learning do not appear to simply reconstitute patterns of association between baseline performance and subsequent learning. Associations involving PGSs, however, were small with large confidence intervals. Intensive longitudinal research such as that described here may be of substantial value for clarifying the genetics of learning when implemented as far larger scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherry Youn
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | | | - Christina M Lill
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Aging Epidemiology Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lars Bertram
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Florian Schmiedek
- Department for Education and Human Development, DIPF|Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Lövdén
- Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ulman Lindenberger
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany, and London, UK
| | - Michel Nivard
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K Paige Harden
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Elliot M Tucker-Drob
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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41
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St-Amant G, Salzman T, Michaud L, Polskaia N, Fraser S, Lajoie Y. Hemodynamic responses of quiet standing simultaneously performed with different cognitive loads in older adults. Hum Mov Sci 2022; 82:102931. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2022.102931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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42
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Musslick S, Cherkaev A, Draut B, Butt AS, Darragh P, Srikumar V, Flatt M, Cohen JD. SweetPea: A standard language for factorial experimental design. Behav Res Methods 2022; 54:805-829. [PMID: 34357537 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-021-01598-2] [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] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Experimental design is a key ingredient of reproducible empirical research. Yet, given the increasing complexity of experimental designs, researchers often struggle to implement ones that allow them to measure their variables of interest without confounds. SweetPea ( https://sweetpea-org.github.io/ ) is an open-source declarative language in Python, in which researchers can describe their desired experiment as a set of factors and constraints. The language leverages advances in areas of computer science to sample experiment sequences in an unbiased way. In this article, we provide an overview of SweetPea's capabilities, and demonstrate its application to the design of psychological experiments. Finally, we discuss current limitations of SweetPea, as well as potential applications to other domains of empirical research, such as neuroscience and machine learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Musslick
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| | | | - Ben Draut
- School of Computing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Ahsan Sajjad Butt
- School of Computing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Pierce Darragh
- School of Computing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Vivek Srikumar
- School of Computing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Matthew Flatt
- School of Computing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Jonathan D Cohen
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
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43
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Kroger J, Kim C. Frontopolar Cortex Specializes for Manipulation of Structured Information. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:788395. [PMID: 35308567 PMCID: PMC8924948 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.788395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- James Kroger
- Department of Psychology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - Chobok Kim
- Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
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44
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Brinkman BAW, Yan H, Maffei A, Park IM, Fontanini A, Wang J, La Camera G. Metastable dynamics of neural circuits and networks. APPLIED PHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 9:011313. [PMID: 35284030 PMCID: PMC8900181 DOI: 10.1063/5.0062603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Cortical neurons emit seemingly erratic trains of action potentials or "spikes," and neural network dynamics emerge from the coordinated spiking activity within neural circuits. These rich dynamics manifest themselves in a variety of patterns, which emerge spontaneously or in response to incoming activity produced by sensory inputs. In this Review, we focus on neural dynamics that is best understood as a sequence of repeated activations of a number of discrete hidden states. These transiently occupied states are termed "metastable" and have been linked to important sensory and cognitive functions. In the rodent gustatory cortex, for instance, metastable dynamics have been associated with stimulus coding, with states of expectation, and with decision making. In frontal, parietal, and motor areas of macaques, metastable activity has been related to behavioral performance, choice behavior, task difficulty, and attention. In this article, we review the experimental evidence for neural metastable dynamics together with theoretical approaches to the study of metastable activity in neural circuits. These approaches include (i) a theoretical framework based on non-equilibrium statistical physics for network dynamics; (ii) statistical approaches to extract information about metastable states from a variety of neural signals; and (iii) recent neural network approaches, informed by experimental results, to model the emergence of metastable dynamics. By discussing these topics, we aim to provide a cohesive view of how transitions between different states of activity may provide the neural underpinnings for essential functions such as perception, memory, expectation, or decision making, and more generally, how the study of metastable neural activity may advance our understanding of neural circuit function in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - H. Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130022, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | - J. Wang
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| | - G. La Camera
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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45
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive tasks are used to probe neuronal activity during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to detect signs of aberrant cognitive functioning in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ). However, nonlinear (inverted-U-shaped) associations between neuronal activity and task difficulty can lead to misinterpretation of group differences between patients and healthy comparison subjects (HCs). In this paper, we evaluated a novel method for correcting these misinterpretations based on conditional performance analysis. METHOD Participants included 25 HCs and 27 SZs who performed a working memory (WM) task (N-back) with 5 load conditions while undergoing fMRI. Neuronal activity was regressed onto: 1) task load (i.e., parametric task levels), 2) marginal task performance (i.e., performance averaged over all load conditions), or 3) conditional task performance (i.e., performance within each load condition). RESULTS In most regions of interest, conditional performance analysis uniquely revealed inverted-U-shaped neuronal activity in both SZs and HCs. After accounting for conditional performance differences between groups, we observed few difference in both the pattern and level of neuronal activity between SZs and HCs within regions that are classically associated with WM functioning (e.g., posterior dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal association cortices). However, SZs did show aberrant activity within the anterior dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS Interpretations of differences in neuronal activity between groups, and of associations between neuronal activity and performance, should be considered within the context of task performance. Whether conditional performance-based differences reflect compensation, dedifferentiation, or other processes is not a question that is easily resolved by examining activation and performance data alone.
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46
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Stock AK, Yu S, Ghin F, Beste C. How low working memory demands and reduced anticipatory attentional gating contribute to impaired inhibition during acute alcohol intoxication. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2892. [PMID: 35190563 PMCID: PMC8861183 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06517-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
High-dose alcohol intoxication is commonly associated with impaired inhibition, but the boundary conditions, as well as associated neurocognitive/neuroanatomical changes have remained rather unclear. This study was motivated by the counterintuitive finding that high-dose alcohol intoxication compromises response inhibition performance when working memory demands were low, but not when they were high. To investigate whether this is more likely to be caused by deficits in cognitive control processes or in attentional processes, we examined event-related (de)synchronization processes in theta and alpha-band activity and performed beamforming analyses on the EEG data of previously published behavioral findings. This yielded two possible explanations: There may be a selective decrease of working memory engagement in case of relatively low demand, which boosts response automatization, ultimately putting more strain on the remaining inhibitory resources. Alternatively, there may be a decrease in proactive preparatory and anticipatory attentional gating processes in case of relatively low demand, hindering attentional sampling of upcoming stimuli. Crucially, both of these interrelated mechanisms reflect differential alcohol effects after the actual motor inhibition process and therefore tend to be processes that serve to anticipate future response inhibition affordances. This provides new insights into how high-dose alcohol intoxication can impair inhibitory control.
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47
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Yu S, Mückschel M, Beste C. Superior frontal regions reflect the dynamics of task engagement and theta band-related control processes in time-on task effects. Sci Rep 2022; 12:846. [PMID: 35039615 PMCID: PMC8763946 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04972-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairment of cognitive performance is often observed in time-on tasks. Theoretical considerations suggest that especially prefrontal cortex cognitive control functions is affected by time-on-task effects, but the role of effort/task engagement is not understood. We examine time-on-task effects in cognitive control on a neurophysiological level using a working-memory modulated response inhibition task and inter-relate prefrontal neuroanatomical region-specific theta-band activity with pupil diameter data using EEG-beamforming approaches. We show that task performance declines with time-on tasks, which was paralleled by a concomitant decreases of task-evoked superior frontal gyrus theta-band activity and a reduction in phasic pupil diameter modulations. A strong relation between cognitive control-related superior frontal theta-band activity and effort/task engagement indexed by phasic pupil diameter modulations was observed in the beginning of the experiment, especially for tasks requiring inhibitory controls and demanding high working memory. This strong relation vanished at the end of the experiment, suggesting a decoupling of cognitive control resources useable for a task and effort invested that characterizes time-on-task effects in prefrontal cortical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijing Yu
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Schubertstrasse 42, 01309, Dresden, Germany.,University Neuropsychology Centre, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Moritz Mückschel
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Schubertstrasse 42, 01309, Dresden, Germany.,University Neuropsychology Centre, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Schubertstrasse 42, 01309, Dresden, Germany. .,University Neuropsychology Centre, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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48
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Saldarini F, Gottlieb N, Stokes PRA. Neural correlates of working memory function in euthymic people with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2022; 297:610-622. [PMID: 34715175 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorders (BD) are serious mental health disorders that impacts on cognitive and social functioning. We aimed to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of fMRI correlates of working memory in euthymic people with BD compared to healthy participants. METHOD Web of Science, Embase and PubMed databases were systematically searched to identify studies which examined the fMRI correlates of working memory function in euthymic people with BD and healthy participants. Relevant demographic, behavioral and functional MRI (fMRI) data was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed, and the quality of the included studies evaluated. Comparable studies which used the same working memory task were included in a meta-analysis using Seed-Based D Mapping software (SDM). RESULTS Twenty-four studies were included in this systematic review. Consistent brain fMRI activity differences were found in key brain areas of the working memory network in euthymic people with BD compared to healthy participants including the ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. Cognitive performance was not significantly different between the two groups. Six studies were suitable to be included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant overlap in areas of brain activation after family-wise correction for multiple comparisons. LIMITATIONS Heterogeneity of task paradigms, small sample sizes and inherent difficulty in the interpretation of functional brain activity due to variations between studies were all limitations. CONCLUSION The differences in working memory related fMRI activity identified by this study between people with BD and healthy participants are consistent with existing literature reporting impaired working memory performance in BD. This was not accompanied by significant differences in cognitive performance in the reviewed studies, likely due to small sample sizes. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between differential brain activity and working memory performance in people with BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Saldarini
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park; London, Camberwell SE5 8AB, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Gottlieb
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park; London, Camberwell SE5 8AB, United Kingdom.
| | - Paul R A Stokes
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park; London, Camberwell SE5 8AB, United Kingdom
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Pokorny L, Besting L, Roebruck F, Jarczok TA, Bender S. Fearful facial expressions reduce inhibition levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in subjects with specific phobia. Depress Anxiety 2022; 39:26-36. [PMID: 34617644 DOI: 10.1002/da.23217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specific phobias have the highest prevalence among anxiety disorders. Cognitive control involving the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is crucial for coping abilities in anxiety disorders. However, there is little research on the DLPFC in specific phobia. METHODS Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), we investigated the TMS-evoked potential component N100 in the DLPFC at rest and while watching emotional expressions. The TMS-evoked N100 provides a parameter for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-B-mediated cortical inhibition. Twenty-two drug-free subjects with specific phobia (21 females and 1 male) were compared with 26 control subjects (23 females and 3 males) regarding N100 in the DLPFC at rest and during an emotional 1-back task with fearful, angry, and neutral facial expressions. RESULTS At rest, we found reduced N100 amplitudes in the specific phobia compared with the control group. Furthermore, the specific phobia group showed a further reduction in N100 amplitude when memorizing fearful compared with neutral facial expressions. CONCLUSION There appears to be a decrease in GABA-B-mediated inhibition in the DLPFC in subjects with a specific phobia at rest. This decrease was more pronounced under emotional activation by exposure to fearful facial expressions, pointing towards additional state effects of emotional processing on inhibitory function in the DLPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Pokorny
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa Besting
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Friederike Roebruck
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tomasz Antoni Jarczok
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stephan Bender
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Jia W, von Wegner F, Zhao M, Zeng Y. Network oscillations imply the highest cognitive workload and lowest cognitive control during idea generation in open-ended creation tasks. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24277. [PMID: 34930950 PMCID: PMC8688505 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03577-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Design is a ubiquitous, complex, and open-ended creation behaviour that triggers creativity. The brain dynamics underlying design is unclear, since a design process consists of many basic cognitive behaviours, such as problem understanding, idea generation, idea analysis, idea evaluation, and idea evolution. In this present study, we simulated the design process in a loosely controlled setting, aiming to quantify the design-related cognitive workload and control, identify EEG-defined large-scale brain networks, and uncover their temporal dynamics. The effectiveness of this loosely controlled setting was tested through comparing the results with validated findings available in the literature. Task-related power (TRP) analysis of delta, theta, alpha and beta frequency bands revealed that idea generation was associated with the highest cognitive workload and lowest cognitive control, compared to other design activities in the experiment, including problem understanding, idea evaluation, and self-rating. EEG microstate analysis supported this finding as microstate class C, being negatively associated with the cognitive control network, was the most prevalent in idea generation. Furthermore, EEG microstate sequence analysis demonstrated that idea generation was consistently associated with the shortest temporal correlation times concerning finite entropy rate, autoinformation function, and Hurst exponent. This finding suggests that during idea generation the interplay of functional brain networks is less restricted and the brain has more degrees of freedom in choosing the next network configuration than during other design activities. Taken together, the TRP and EEG microstate results lead to the conclusion that idea generation is associated with the highest cognitive workload and lowest cognitive control during open-ended creation task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Jia
- Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 2W1, Canada
| | - Frederic von Wegner
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Wallace Wurth Building, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Mengting Zhao
- Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 2W1, Canada
| | - Yong Zeng
- Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 2W1, Canada.
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