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Working memory training impacts neural activity during untrained cognitive tasks in people with multiple sclerosis
Zachary P Turtola1, Thomas J Covey2
1Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, USA.
Experimental Neurology
|September 29, 2020
Summary
Working memory training improved cognitive function and attention in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, showing similar neural changes to healthy controls on some tasks but potential limitations in neural plasticity for others.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Multiple Sclerosis Research
Background:
- Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), necessitating effective rehabilitation strategies.
- Working memory (WM) training's impact on neural activity for untrained tasks in MS is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural effects of adaptive WM training on untrained cognitive tasks in individuals with MS.
- To assess the transfer of WM training gains to neural indices in MS and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- 20 sessions of adaptive WM training (n-back task) were administered.
- Event-Related Potential (ERP) measures were recorded pre- and post-training on spatial WM, cognitive control, and processing speed tasks.
Main Results:
- Both MS and control groups showed enhanced attention and cognitive control on untrained tasks post-WM training.
- MS participants exhibited some neural changes similar to controls, but controls showed greater neural plasticity on specific measures (late positive potential, P3 amplitude).
Conclusions:
- WM training can enhance neural indices of attention and cognitive control in MS, with some transfer effects similar to healthy individuals.
- Potential limitations in neural plasticity exist in MS following WM training, indicated by differences in specific ERP components compared to controls.
