executive functions
Research Papers
Showing 6 of 7Would frontal midline theta indicate cognitive changes induced by non-invasive brain stimulation? A mini review
To the best of our knowledge, neurophysiological markers indicating changes induced by non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on cognitive performance, especially one of the most investigated under these procedures, working memory (WM), are little known. Here, we will briefly introduce frontal midline theta (FM-theta) oscillation (4–8 Hz) as a possible indicator for NIBS effects on WM processing. Electrophysiological recordings of FM-theta oscillation seem to originate in the medial frontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex, but they may be driven more subcortically. FM-theta has been acknowledged to occur during memory and emotion processing, and it has been related to WM and sustained attention. It mainly occurs in the frontal region during a delay period, in which specific information previously shown is no longer perceived and must be manipulated to allow a later (delayed) response and observed in posterior regions during information maintenance. Most NIBS studies investigating effects on cognitive performance have used n-back tasks that mix manipulation and maintenance processes. Thus, if considering FM-theta as a potential neurophysiological indicator for NIBS effects on different WM components, adequate cognitive tasks should be considered to better address the complexity of WM processing. Future research should also evaluate the potential use of FM-theta as an index of the therapeutic effects of NIBS intervention on neuropsychiatric disorders, especially those involving the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and cognitive dysfunctions.
View Full Paper →Improving cognitive control: Is theta neurofeedback training associated with proactive rather than reactive control enhancement?
Frontal-midline (FM) theta activity (4-8 Hz) is proposed to reflect a mechanism for cognitive control that is needed for working memory retention, manipulation, and interference resolution. Modulation of FM theta activity via neurofeedback training (NFT) demonstrated transfer to some but not all types of cognitive control. Therefore, the present study investigated whether FM theta NFT enhances performance and modulates underlying EEG characteristics in a delayed match to sample (DMTS) task requiring mainly proactive control and a color Stroop task requiring mainly reactive control. Moreover, temporal characteristics of transfer were explored over two posttests. Across seven 30-min NFT sessions, an FM theta training group exhibited a larger FM theta increase compared to an active control group who upregulated randomly chosen frequency bands. In a posttest performed 13 days after the last training session, the training group showed better retention performance in the DMTS task. Furthermore, manipulation performance was associated with NFT theta increase for the training but not the control group. Contrarily, behavioral group differences and their relation to FM theta change were not significant in the Stroop task, suggesting that NFT is associated with proactive but not reactive control enhancement. Transfer to both tasks at a posttest one day after training was not significant. Behavioral improvements were not accompanied by changes in FM theta activity, indicating no training-induced modulation of EEG characteristics. Together, these findings suggest that NFT supports transfer to cognitive control that manifests late after training but that other training-unspecific factors may also contribute to performance enhancement.
View Full Paper →A game-based neurofeedback training system to enhance cognitive performance in healthy elderly subjects and in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Introduction: This study examines the clinical efficacy of a game-based neurofeedback training (NFT) system to enhance cognitive performance in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and healthy elderly subjects. The NFT system includes five games designed to improve attention span and cognitive performance. The system estimates attention levels by investigating the power spectrum of Beta and Alpha bands. Methods: We recruited 65 women with aMCI and 54 healthy elderly women. All participants were treated with care as usual (CAU); 58 were treated with CAU + NFT (20 sessions of 30 minutes each, 2-3 sessions per week), 36 with CAU + exergame-based training, while 25 patients had only CAU. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery both before and after treatment. Results: NFT significantly improved rapid visual processing and spatial working memory (SWM), including strategy, when compared with exergame training and no active treatment. aMCI was characterized by impairments in SWM (including strategy), pattern recognition memory, and delayed matching to samples. Conclusion: In conclusion, treatment with NFT improves sustained attention and SWM. Nevertheless, NFT had no significant effect on pattern recognition memory and short-term visual memory, which are the other hallmarks of aMCI. The NFT system used here may selectively improve sustained attention, strategy, and executive functions, but not other cognitive impairments, which characterize aMCI in women.
View Full Paper →A pilot study of a novel therapeutic approach to obesity: CNS modification by N.I.R. H.E.G. neurofeedback
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Despite the thorough mapping of brain pathways involved in eating behavior, no treatment aimed at modulating eating dysregulation from its neurocognitive root has been established yet. We aimed to evaluate the effect of N.I.R. H.E.G. (Near Infra-Red Hemoencephalography) neurofeedback training on appetite control, weight and food-related brain activity. METHODS: Six healthy male participants with overweight or mild obesity went through 10 N.I.R. H.E.G. neurofeedback sessions designed to practice voluntary activation of the prefrontal cortex. Weight, eating behavior, appetite control and brain activity related to food and self-inhibition based on fMRI were evaluated before and after neurofeedback training. RESULTS: Our study group demonstrated a positive trend of increased self-control and inhibition related to food behavior, reduced weight and increased activation during an fMRI response-inhibition task (Go-No-Go - GNG) in the predefined region of interest (ROI): superior orbitofrontal cortex (sOFC). CONCLUSIONS: N.I.R. H.E.G. holds a promising potential as a feasible neurofeedback platform for modulation of cortical brain circuits involved in self-control and eating behavior and should be further evaluated and developed as a brain modifying device for the treatment and prevention of obesity.
View Full Paper →Long-term effects of neurofeedback treatment in autism
Previously we demonstrated significant improvement of executive functions and social behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) treated with 40 sessions of EEG neurofeedback in a nonrandomized waiting list control group design. In this paper we extend these findings by reporting the long-term results of neurofeedback treatment in the same group of children with ASD after 12 months. The present study indicates maintenance of improvement of executive functions and social behavior after 12 months in comparison with the immediate outcomes. Neurofeedback mediated suppression of theta power is supposed to promote more flexible functioning of the brain by enhancing activation in the medial prefrontal cortex and improving flexibility of activation in the default mode network supporting the improvement of executive functions and theory of mind in ASD.
View Full Paper →Controlled evaluation of a neurofeedback training of slow cortical potentials in children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Background: Although several promising studies on neurofeedback training in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been performed in recent years, the specificity of positive treatment effects continues to be challenged. Methods: To evaluate the specificity of a neurofeedback training of slow cortical potentials, a twofold strategy was pursued: First, the efficacy of neurofeedback training was compared to a group training program for children with ADHD. Secondly, the extent of improvements observed in the neurofeedback group in relation to successful regulation of cortical activation was examined. Parents and teachers rated children's behaviour and executive functions before and after treatment. In addition, children underwent neuropsychological testing before and after training. Results: According to parents' and teachers' ratings, children of the neurofeedback training group improved more than children who had participated in a group therapy program, particularly in attention and cognition related domains. On neuropsychological measures children of both groups showed similar improvements. However, only about half of the neurofeedback group learned to regulate cortical activation during a transfer condition without direct feedback. Behavioural improvements of this subgroup were moderately related to neurofeedback training performance, whereas effective parental support accounted better for some advantages of neurofeedback training compared to group therapy according to parents' and teachers' ratings. Conclusion: There is a specific training effect of neurofeedback of slow cortical potentials due to enhanced cortical control. However, non-specific factors, such as parental support, may also contribute to the positive behavioural effects induced by the neurofeedback training.
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