Enhanced frontoparietal connectivity in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls in response to an intensive computerized training focused on working memory
Naiara Aguirre, Álvaro Javier Cruz-Gómez, Sonia Félix Esbrí, Anna Miró-Padilla, Elisenda Bueichekú, Ricardo Broseta-Torres, César Ávila, Carla Sanchis-Segura, Cristina Forn, Naiara Aguirre, Álvaro Javier Cruz-Gómez, Sonia Félix Esbrí, Anna Miró-Padilla, Elisenda Bueichekú, Ricardo Broseta-Torres, César Ávila, Carla Sanchis-Segura, Cristina Forn
Abstract
Background: Working memory (WM) deficits are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Computerized cognitive training may enhance WM capabilities but its efficacy in MS patients has not been sufficiently explored.
Methods: This study examines the effects of n-back training on cognitive performance and functional connectivity (FC) in 29 MS patients and 29 healthy controls (HC). Baseline (S1) performance on 2- and 3-back tasks and FC within the fronto-parietal network were assessed before randomly splitting the sample into four subgroups: trained MS (MSt, n = 15), trained HC (HCt, n = 14), untrained MS (MSu, n = 14), and untrained HC (HCu, n = 15). The trained subgroups underwent adaptive n-back training (60 min/day; 4 days) and n-back task performance and FC were reassessed in a second session (S2).
Results: As revealed by mixed two-way ANOVAs, trained participants (MSt and HCt) exhibited a significant increase in the number of correct responses and significantly reduced reaction times in S2. These performance improvements were accompanied by an increase in FC in the fronto-parietal pathways and statistically significant correlations between both effects were found.
Conclusions: Computerised WM training results in behavioural and neuroplasticity positive effects that may be useful when trying to prevent or attenuate cognitive decline in MS patients.
Keywords: Cognitive training; Functional connectivity; Multiple sclerosis; N-back; Working memory.
Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Source: PubMed