Computerized physical and cognitive training improves the functional architecture of the brain in adults with Down syndrome: A network science EEG study

Abstract

Understanding the neuroplastic capacity of people with Down syndrome (PwDS) can potentially reveal the causal relationship between aberrant brain organization and phenotypic characteristics. We used resting-state EEG recordings to identify how a neuroplasticity-triggering training protocol relates to changes in the functional connectivity of the brain’s intrinsic cortical networks. Brain activity of 12 PwDS before and after a 10-week protocol of combined physical and cognitive training was statistically compared to quantify changes in directed functional connectivity in conjunction with psychosomatometric assessments. PwDS showed increased connectivity within the left hemisphere and from left-to-right hemisphere, as well as increased physical and cognitive performance. Our findings reveal a strong adaptive neuroplastic reorganization as a result of the training that leads to a less-random network with a more pronounced hierarchical organization. Our results go beyond previous findings by indicating a transition to a healthier, more efficient, and flexible network architecture, with improved integration and segregation abilities in the brain of PwDS. Resting-state electrophysiological brain activity is used here for the first time to display meaningful relationships to underlying Down syndrome processes and outcomes of importance in a translational inquiry. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04390321.

The Effects of Prescribed Physical and Cognitive Exercise on Life Satisfaction, Self-Efficacy and Mood States in Adults with Down Syndrome: The MinDSets Study

“…In this study, within-cohort and between-group differences in SWLS and GSE at two time points, pre-and post-intervention, were analysed. At baseline, and in line with previous work in this domain [26], all participants indicated they were satisfied (score of [26][27][28][29][30] or extremely satisfied (score of [31][32][33][34][35] with life, but there were no statistically significant changes in SWLS from pre-to post-intervention in the total sample or within any of the groups. GSE was below the international average of 29.55 [34] at baseline, but scores in the total sample improved significantly to above average throughout the duration of the study.…”

“…The suite of games was selected after conducting a pilot study and was adjusted for each participant if the participant presented with a visual and/or auditory impairment [9]. This form of computerised training has previously been validated in a population with DS [29]. A third group of participants was instructed to implement the combined (COM) walking and cognitive training exercises for eight weeks, whilst a final group of participants was required to maintain their normal day-to-day-life and not partake in an intervention, therefore acting as a control group (CON) with a pseudo-intervention period of eight weeks.…”

Technology-based solutions for behavior monitoring: lessons learned

“…Inherent obstacles of those methods include data loss, subjectivity bias, difficulty in synchronous monitoring at different settings, real-time recognition, and interpretation of behavior (Davila-Montero et al, 2021;Pandria et al, 2022). For addressing the limitations of existing approaches, we have designed and implemented a bundle of tools over the past few years, namely, the WHAAM application (Spachos et al, 2014), the ADHD360 (Pandria et al, 2022) platform, and the AffectLecture application (Siouli et al, 2017(Siouli et al, , 2020, in addition to exploiting the commercially available platform BrainHQ (Romanopoulou et al, 2017;Anagnostopoulou et al, 2021;Romanopoulou et al, 2021) setting different goals and targeting different populations. The WHAAM application enables the digital monitoring of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) behavior as well as the planning of an intervention and the statistical evaluation of its effectiveness (Spachos et al, 2014;Merlo et al, 2018) while the ADHD360 stands for an integrated platform that includes a serious game for early detection of ADHD characteristics and a mobile application for behavior monitoring.…”

Digital Biomarkers for Well-being Through Exergame Interactions: Exploratory Study

“…The exergame platform of Long Lasting Memories Care has proven to significantly improve strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance in older adults [ 20 ]. Furthermore, a previous study conducted by Konstantinidis et al [ 21 ] demonstrated the value of in-game metrics generated from body movement interactions with the exergame for detecting cognitive decline, and the study by Anagnostopoulou et al [ 22 ] demonstrated evidence of improving the functional architecture of the brain in adults with Down syndrome.…”