Functional brain changes associated with cognitive trajectories determine specific tDCS-induced effects among older
Lídia Vaqué-Alcázar1,2, Kilian Abellaneda-Pérez1,2, Cristina Solé-Padullés1
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Journal of Neuroscience Research
|May 28, 2021
Summary
Cognitive decline trajectories in older adults predict responses to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS may reduce over-activation in compromised brain systems, offering personalized neuromodulation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Aging Research
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Investigating age-related cognitive changes requires advanced neuroimaging techniques.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) offer complementary insights into brain function.
- Previous work identified distinct neural patterns (compensatory and maintenance) for high working memory (WM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine neural activity modulations using multifocal tDCS combined with fMRI in older adults.
- To investigate how individual cognitive trajectories (stable vs. decliners) influence tDCS effects.
- To determine if tDCS can modulate brain activity in specific regions related to working memory decline.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective longitudinal study included 24 participants categorized by 4-year working memory (WM) trajectories.
- Participants underwent multifocal tDCS using "compensatory" and "maintenance" montages in a single-blind, sham-controlled, cross-over design.
- Longitudinal fMRI data were analyzed to compare brain activity between stable and decliner groups and across tDCS conditions.
Main Results:
- Individuals classified as decliners showed over-activation in non-WM-related areas after 4 years.
- In decliners, the "compensatory" tDCS montage reduced activity in posterior regions exhibiting longitudinal hyperactivation.
- tDCS effects, characterized by activity reduction, were more pronounced in compromised neural systems.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive trajectories in older adults predict the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation.
- tDCS may normalize hyperactive regions in individuals with cognitive decline.
- These findings highlight the potential for personalized neuromodulation based on individual cognitive aging patterns.
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