Dataset Information

Task demands, tDCS intensity, and the COMT val158met polymorphism impact tDCS-linked working memory training gains.

ABSTRACT: Working memory (WM) training paired with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve executive function in older adults. The unclear mechanism of tDCS likely depends on tDCS intensity, and task relevant genetic factors (e.g., for WM: COMT val158met, DAT, BDNF val66met). Higher tDCS intensity does not always lead to greater cognitive gains, and genetic polymorphisms may modulate tDCS-linked WM improvements. To evaluate these factors, 137 healthy older adults provided DNA samples and received Visual and Spatial WM training paired with tDCS (sham, 1, 1.5, 2?mA). After one session of tDCS, significant group differences in WM performance were predicted by COMT val158met status. One month after training, there was a significant interaction of tDCS intensity, COMT genotype, and WM task. Specifically, val/val homozygotes benefited most from 1.5?mA tDCS on Visual WM and from 1?mA tDCS on Spatial WM. For met/met homozygotes, 2?mA resulted in significantly poorer performance compared to 1.5?mA on Spatial WM. While this pattern was observed with relatively small sample sizes, these data indicate that variations in COMT val158met may predict the nature of WM improvement after initial and longitudinal tDCS. This contributes to our understanding of the underlying mechanism by which tDCS affects behaviour.

SUBMITTER: Stephens JA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5647397 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Task demands, tDCS intensity, and the COMT val158met polymorphism impact tDCS-linked working memory training gains.

Stephens Jaclyn A JA Jones Kevin T KT Berryhill Marian E ME

Scientific reports 20171018 1

Working memory (WM) training paired with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve executive function in older adults. The unclear mechanism of tDCS likely depends on tDCS intensity, and task relevant genetic factors (e.g., for WM: COMT val158met, DAT, BDNF val66met). Higher tDCS intensity does not always lead to greater cognitive gains, and genetic polymorphisms may modulate tDCS-linked WM improvements. To evaluate these factors, 137 healthy older adults p ...[more]

PMID: 29044248

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Project description:Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have difficulties while performing dual-task activities, a condition present in everyday life. It is possible that strategies such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can be associated with motor training enriched with dual-task training to improve the performance of two concurrent tasks. Currently, it is unclear whether specific tasks and clinical conditions of PD patients have different results after the intervention. Therefore, the proposed randomized controlled trial will examine task-dependency in enhancing the effects of tDCS-linked rehabilitation training on PD and the relationships between baseline outcomes in responders and non-responders to therapy. Fifty-six patients with Parkinson's disease will be recruited to participate in this controlled, double-blind randomized multicentric clinical trial. Patients in modified Hoehn & Yahr stage 1.5-3, age between 40 and 70 years will be included. Subjects will be randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The EG will perform treadmill gait training associated with dual task exercises+tDCS, while the CG will only engage in treadmill gait training+tDCS. Blinded testers will assess patients before and after 12 intervention sessions and after a 4-week follow-up period. All patients will undergo a screening and an initial visit before being assessed for primary and secondary outcomes. The primary outcome measure is functional mobility measured by Timed Up and Go Test. Secondary outcomes include cognitive function, participation, motor function and body function and structure. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention protocol with tDCS, dual-task training and gait training in patients with PD. The study will also highlight the clinical factors and variability between individuals that could interfere in the training of a specific task and influence the therapeutic effect. Clinical Trial registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04581590.

Dataset Information

Task demands, tDCS intensity, and the COMT val158met polymorphism impact tDCS-linked working memory training gains.

Publications

Task demands, tDCS intensity, and the COMT val<sup>158</sup>met polymorphism impact tDCS-linked working memory training gains.

Similar Datasets

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