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Background: There has been longstanding interesting in cognitive training for older adults with cognitive impairment. In this study, we will investigate the effects of working memory training, and explore augmentation strategies that could possibly consolidate the effects in older adults with mild neurocognitive disorder. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been demonstrated to affect the neuronal excitability and reported to enhance memory performance. As tDCS may also modulate cognitive function through changes in neuroplastic response, it would be adopted as an augmentation strategy for working memory training in the present study.
Methods/design: This is a 4-week intervention double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) of tDCS. Chinese older adults (aged 60 to 90 years) with mild neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease (DSM-5 criteria) would be randomized into a 4-week intervention of either tDCS-working memory (DCS-WM), tDCS-control cognitive training (DCS-CC), and sham tDCS-working memory (WM-CD) groups. The primary outcome would be working memory test - the n-back task performance and the Chinese version of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog). Secondary outcomes would be test performance of specific cognitive domains and mood. Intention-to-treat analysis would be carried out. Changes of efficacy indicators with time and intervention would be tested with mixed effect models.
Discussion: This study adopts the theory of neuroplasticity to evaluate the potential cognitive benefits of non-invasive electrical brain stimulation, working memory training and dual stimulation in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. It would also examine the tolerability, program adherence and adverse effects of this novel intervention. Information would be helpful for further research of dementia prevention studies.
Trial Registration: ChiCTR-TRC- 14005036 Date of registration: 31 July 2014.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13063-015-0999-0 | DOI Listing |
Cereb Cortex
August 2025
School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
Alpha oscillations have been implicated in the maintenance of working memory representations. Notably, when memorised content is spatially lateralised, the power of posterior alpha activity exhibits corresponding lateralisation during the retention interval, consistent with the retinotopic organisation of the visual cortex. Beyond power, alpha frequency has also been linked to memory performan ce, with faster alpha rhythms associated with enhanced retention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Neurosci
September 2025
Institute of Public Health, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia.
Evidence suggests that working memory (WM) capacity decreases with age, resulting in cognitive decline. Given the link between aging and reduced hippocampal volume, this study examined whether and how hippocampal volume is associated with WM. 46 participants aged 65-85 years (Mage = 71.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Hum Neurosci
August 2025
Baptist Medical Center, Department of Behavioral Health, Jacksonville, FL, United States.
Introduction: This study investigates four subdomains of executive functioning-initiation, cognitive inhibition, mental shifting, and working memory-using task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data and graph analysis.
Methods: We used healthy adults' functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to construct brain connectomes and network graphs for each task and analyzed global and node-level graph metrics.
Results: The bilateral precuneus and right medial prefrontal cortex emerged as pivotal hubs and influencers, emphasizing their crucial regulatory role in all four subdomains of executive function.
Front Genet
August 2025
Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Finance and Economics Big Data Science and Technology, Hunan University of Finance and Economics, Changsha, China.
RNA N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) is a crucial chemical modification involved in various biological processes, influencing RNA properties and functions. Accurate prediction of RNA ac4C sites is essential for understanding the roles of RNA molecules in gene expression and cellular regulation. While existing methods have made progress in ac4C site prediction, they still struggle with limited accuracy and generalization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Psychol
August 2025
Department of Educational Psychology and Pedagogy, Faculty of Psychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
Family socioeconomic status is broadly acknowledged to be associated with child development and wellbeing. However, the extent of this association across various dimensions of child development remains a topic of ongoing debate. This study aims to investigate the relationship between parental education and child cognitive and socioemotional skills, as well as the mediating role of children's leisure time activities, including screen time and shared book reading.
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