ID 42 – Empowering executive functions by neuromodulation (tDCS) in healthy elderly: Psychometric and EEG evidences

Abstract

Objective While the contribution of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) in preventing cognitive decline is looked with interest, NIBS empowerment of healthy elderly is understudied. The present research aims at investigating the effect of prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in empowering executive functions and electrophysiologic attention responses in healthy aging. Methods 22 participants have been assigned to the intervention or control group and underwent a complex assessment at T0 and at T1 – after three months. The anodal tDCS protocol lasted eight weeks (three sessions per week), with twice-weekly administration of tasks tapping on executive functions. A complete set of standardized cognitive tests and an electroencephalographic recording during a challenging computerized attention task have been integrated in the assessment protocol. Results T0–T1 comparisons highlighted a significant increase in post-intervention performances for the tDCS group. Specifically, tests tapping on executive functions and automatic electrophysiologic attention responses showed positive modulations. Conclusions The consistency of behavioral and electrophysiologic findings suggests that a moderately intensive NIBS protocol might mediate the empowerment of specific cognitive functions even in healthy aging people. Key message Physiological aging is a dynamic process, where non-invasive interventions may capitalize on resources of the cognitive reserve to help improving cognitive functioning.