Training Inhibitory Control Induced Robust Neural Changes When Behavior Is Affected: A Follow-up Study Using Cognitive Event-Related Potentials

Abstract

Cognitive training results in significant, albeit modest, improvements in specific cognitive functions across a range of mental illnesses. Inhibitory control, defined as the ability to stop the execution of an automatic reaction or a planned motor behavior, is known to be particularly important for the regulation of health behaviors, including addictive behaviors. For example, several studies have indicated that inhibitory training can lead to reduced alcohol consumption or a loss of weight/reduced energy intake. However, the exact neurocognitive mechanisms that underlie such behavioral changes induced by training are still matter of debate. In the present study, we investigated the long-term impact (ie, at 1 week posttraining) of an inhibitory training program (composed of 4 consecutive daily training sessions of 20 minutes each) on the performance of a Go/No-go task. Healthy participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 designated groups: (1) an Inhibition Training (IT) group that received training based on a hybrid flanker Go/No-go task; (2) a group that received a noninhibition-based (ie, episodic memory; EM) training; and (3) a No-Training (NT) group to control for test-retest effects. Each group underwent 3 sessions of a Go/No-go task concomitant with the recording of event-related potentials. Our results revealed a specific impact of the Inhibitory Training on the Go/No-go task, indexed by a faster process compared with the other 2 groups. This effect was neurophysiologically indexed by a faster N2 component on the difference NoGo-Go waveform. Importantly, effects at both the behavioral and at the neural level were still readily discernible 1 week posttraining. Thus, our data clearly corroborate the notion that cognitive training is effective, while also indicating that it may persist over time.

Inhibitory Control in Individuals with Clinical Levels of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

“…Conversely, clinical levels of GAD were associated with deficits in processing speed but not in inhibitory control. Accordingly, psychological interventions for depression and GAD might test the effect of including trainings in increasing skills in inhibitory control (e.g., Schroder et al, 2020) and processing speed (Manglani et al, 2020).…”

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Cognitive Training Induces Response Inhibition Facilitation Through Distinct Neural Responses According to the Stimulation Site: A Follow-up Event-Related Potentials Study

“…19 In a study using cognitive event-related potentials (ERPs), a 4-day inhibitory training positively impacted the Go/No-go performance of healthy participants by accelerating it, as indicated by faster No-go N2 components persisting over time (1 week posttraining). 20 A previous ERP study involving healthy participants investigated the acute impact of a 20-minute active tDCS over the rIFG, and it showed that fewer neural resources (indexed by lower No-go P3 components) were needed to give rise to more accurate performances on a Go/No-go task. 21 Taken together, these data underscore that combining tDCS and CRP to improve IC could be an effective tool (compared with in isolation) by leveraging distinct neural and functional processes.…”

“…Healthy participants were assigned to 5 groups: (1) an Inhibition Training (IT) group receiving training based on a hybrid flanker Go/No-go task, 20 (2) a group receiving active tDCS over the rIFG in combination with IT (IT + IF), (3) a group receiving active tDCS over the rDLPFC in combination with IT (IT + DL), (4) a group receiving IT with sham tDCS (ITsham), and (5) a No-Training (NT) group to control for test-retest effects. Each group undertook 3 sessions of a Go/No-go task concomitant with an ERP recording (T0, before training; T1, at the end of the training session; T2, 1 week after T1).…”

Inhibitory control training improves ADHD symptoms and externalizing behavior

“…An electrophysiological study found that inhibitory control training modulates the inhibitory control-related neural underpinnings in a sample of preschoolers [29]. About the training program, there are several training programs for inhibitory control training [30][31][32]. Even a progressive task in stop-signal paradigm improve inhibitory control [33] Although escalating the di culty of the task is an important factor for cognitive training, the variety of stimuli and tasks paradigms is a crucial factor for transfer of cognitive training gain to untrained domains.…”