Abstract
Background/Objective To explore the effectiveness of a specific working memory (WM) training program in MS patients and healthy controls (HC). Method 29 MS patients and 29 matched HC were enrolled in the study. MS and HC were randomly split into two groups: nontraining groups (15HC/14 MS) and training groups (14 HC/15 MS). Training groups underwent adaptive n-back training (60 min/day; 4 days). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to monitor brain activity during n-back performance (conditions: 0-back, 2-back, and 3-back) at 3 time points: (1) baseline, (2) post-training (+7days), and (3) follow-up (+35days). Results In post-training and follow-up fMRI sessions, trained groups (HC and MS patients) exhibited significant reaction time (RT) reductions and increases in Correct Responses (CRs) during 2-back and 3-back performance. This improvement of task performance was accompanied by a decrease in brain activation in the WM frontoparietal network. The two effects were significantly correlated. Conclusions After WM training, both cognitively preserved MS patients and HC participants showed task performance improvement made possible by neuroplastic processes that enhanced neural efficiency.
Highlights
Cognitive impairment is present in 40-65% of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients [1]
Taking into account previous studies reporting that repeated task training produces performance enhancements and brain activity decreased in healthy controls (HC) [20], the aim of the present study was to explore whether n-back training could improve task performance in MS patients and decrease cerebral activity in working memory (WM) networks indicative of neural efficiency
Twenty-nine right-handed patients diagnosed with clinically definite RR MS according to McDonald’s criteria [21] were selected for the study, and twenty-nine right-handed participants with no neurological or psychiatric dysfunction made up the control group (HC)
Summary
Cognitive impairment is present in 40-65% of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients [1]. A decline in cognitive functions has a negative impact on patients’ daily lives and quality of life [3]. Numerous studies have been carried out in recent years to explore the potential effects of cognitive interventions focused on improving cognition in MS patients. In this regard, several studies using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) have provided positive evidence about the presence of neural plasticity in MS patients that helps to conceal the disease’s clinical expression, at least in some phases of the disease [4,5,6]. The counteracting effects of spontaneous neuroplasticity are limited and transitory, and they are overcome by the disease’s progression [7]
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