TDCS effects on pointing task learning in young and old adults

Kaminski, Elisabeth; Engelhardt, Melina; Hoff, Maike; Steele, Christopher; Villringer, Arno; Ragert, Patrick

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82275-4

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 106 publications

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“…explore basic scientific questions regarding cognitive function (Kaminski et al, 2021). Recent studies have confirmed that this method can up-regulate or down-regulate the excitability of specific brain regions and improve cognitive ability in healthy individuals to perform specific tasks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Modulation of thalamic network connectivity using transcranial direct current stimulation based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to improve hypoxia-induced cognitive impairments

et al. 2022

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Hypoxic conditions at high altitudes severely affect cognitive functions such as vigilance, attention, and memory and reduce cognitive ability. Hence, there is a critical need to investigate methods and associated mechanisms for improving the cognitive ability of workers at high altitudes. This study aimed to use transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate thalamic network functional connectivity to enhance cognitive ability. We recruited 20 healthy participants that underwent hypoxia exposure in a hypoxic chamber at atmospheric pressure to simulate a hypoxic environment at 4,000 m. Participants received both sham and real stimulation. tDCS significantly improved the participants’ emotional status, including depression, fatigue, and energy level. These effects were sustained for more than 6 h (P < 0.05 at the second to fifth measurements). In addition, tDCS enhanced vigilance, but this was only effective within 2 h (P < 0.05 at the second and third measurements). Central fatigue was significantly ameliorated, and cerebral blood oxygen saturation was increased within 4 h (P < 0.05 at the second, third, and fourth measurements). Furthermore, functional connectivity results using the thalamus as a seed revealed enhanced connectivity between the thalamus and hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, and amygdala after tDCS. These results indicated that tDCS increased local cerebral blood oxygen saturation and enhanced thalamic network connectivity in a hypoxic environment, thereby improving vigilance, depression, fatigue, and energy levels. These findings suggest that tDCS may partially rescue the cognitive decline caused by hypoxia within a short period. This approach affords a safe and effective cognitive enhancement method for all types of high-altitude workers with a large mental load.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Modulation of thalamic network connectivity using transcranial direct current stimulation based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to improve hypoxia-induced cognitive impairments

et al. 2022

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Redesigning navigational aids using virtual global landmarks to improve spatial knowledge retrieval

Singh

Wunderlich

et al. 2022

npj Sci. Learn.

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Although beacon- and map-based spatial strategies are the default strategies for navigation activities, today’s navigational aids mostly follow a beacon-based design where one is provided with turn-by-turn instructions. Recent research, however, shows that our reliance on these navigational aids is causing a decline in our spatial skills. We are processing less of our surrounding environment and relying too heavily on the instructions given. To reverse this decline, we need to engage more in map-based learning, which encourages the user to process and integrate spatial knowledge into a cognitive map built to benefit flexible and independent spatial navigation behaviour. In an attempt to curb our loss of skills, we proposed a navigation assistant to support map-based learning during active navigation. Called the virtual global landmark (VGL) system, this augmented reality (AR) system is based on the kinds of techniques used in traditional orienteering. Specifically, a notable landmark is always present in the user’s sight, allowing the user to continuously compute where they are in relation to that specific location. The efficacy of the unit as a navigational aid was tested in an experiment with 27 students from the University of Technology Sydney via a comparison of brain dynamics and behaviour. From an analysis of behaviour and event-related spectral perturbation, we found that participants were encouraged to process more spatial information with a map-based strategy where a silhouette of the compass-like landmark was perpetually in view. As a result of this technique, they consistently navigated with greater efficiency and better accuracy.

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Theoretical Analysis of Coupled Modified Hindmarsh-rose Model Under Transcranial Magnetic-acoustic Electrical Stimulation

Guo

Zhang

et al. 2022

International Journal of Circuits, Systems and Signal Processing

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Transcranial magnetic-acoustic electrical stimulation (TMAES) is a new technology with ultrasonic waves and a static magnetic field to generate an electric current in nerve tissues to modulate neuronal firing activities. The existing neuron models only simulate a single neuron, and there are few studies on coupled neurons models about TMAES. Most of the neurons in the cerebral cortex are not isolated but are coupled to each other. It is necessary to study the information transmission of coupled neurons. The types of neuron coupled synapses include electrical synapse and chemical synapse. A neuron model without considering chemical synapses is not comprehensive. Here, we modified the Hindmarsh-Rose (HR) model to simulate the smallest nervous system—two neurons coupled electrical synapses and chemical synapses under TMAES. And the environmental variables describing the synaptic coupling between two neurons and the nonlinearity of the nervous system are also taken into account. The firing behavior of the nervous system can be modulated by changing the intensity or the modulation frequency. The results show that within a certain range of parameters, the discharge frequency of coupled neurons could be increased by altering the modulation frequency, and intensity of stimulation, modulating the excitability of neurons, reducing the response time of chemical postsynaptic neurons, and accelerating the information transferring. Moreover, the discharge frequency of neurons was selective to stimulus parameters. These results demonstrate the possible theoretical regulatory mechanism of the neurons' firing frequency characteristics by TMAES. The study establishes the foundation for large-scale neural network modeling and can be taken as the theoretical basis for TMAES experimental and clinical application.

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TDCS effects on pointing task learning in young and old adults

Cited by 3 publications

References 106 publications

Modulation of thalamic network connectivity using transcranial direct current stimulation based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to improve hypoxia-induced cognitive impairments

Modulation of thalamic network connectivity using transcranial direct current stimulation based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to improve hypoxia-induced cognitive impairments

Redesigning navigational aids using virtual global landmarks to improve spatial knowledge retrieval

Theoretical Analysis of Coupled Modified Hindmarsh-rose Model Under Transcranial Magnetic-acoustic Electrical Stimulation

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