Improvement In Selective Attention Research Articles

Standardized Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Extract Improves Short- and Long-Term Cognitive Performances in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Cognitive decline, a common consequence of aging, detrimentally affects independence, physical activity, and social interactions. This decline encompasses various cognitive functions, including processing speed, memory, language, and executive functioning. This trial aimed to investigate, with a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 96 healthy older adults, the efficacy of once-daily 250 mg of a standardized grape (Vitis vinifera L.) juice extract (Cognigrape®) in improving short- and long-term cognitive functions. The results revealed significant improvements across multiple cognitive domains, notably immediate and delayed memory, visuospatial abilities, language, and attention, with improvements occurring within just 14 days, which continued to improve after 84 days of supplementation. The extract exhibited statistically significant enhancements in the Mini-Mental State Evaluation (MMSE), assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS), "Esame Neuropsicologico Breve 2 (ENB-2), and Modified Bells Test (MBT) scores, with the latter test revealing a significant improvement in selective attention within just 90 min of the first dose. These positive results highlight the potential this natural grape extract has on improving cognitive function both acutely and chronically in a healthy aging population, which in turn supports a longer health span, at least cognitively.

Psychological well-being modulates neural synchrony during naturalistic fMRI

Psychological well-being (PWB) is a combination of feeling good and functioning efficiently, and has a significant relationship with physical and mental health. Previous research has shown that PWB is associated with improvements in selective attention, mindfulness, semantic self-images, and adaptive decision making, however, it is unclear how these differences manifest in the brain. Naturalistic stimuli better encapsulate everyday experiences and can elicit more “true-to-life” neural responses. The current study seeks to identify how differing levels of PWB modulate neural synchrony in response to an audiovisual film. With consideration of the inherent variability of the literature, we aim to ascertain the validity of the regions previously associated with PWB. We identified that higher levels of PWB were associated with heightened stimulus driven neural synchrony in the bilateral superior parietal lobule, right planum temporale, and left superior temporal gyrus, and that lower levels of PWB were associated with heightened neural synchrony in the bilateral lateral occipital cortex and precuneus. Taken together, this research suggests that there is an association between differing levels of PWB and differential neural synchrony during movie-watching. PWB may therefore have an effect on complex, multimodal processing.

The Role of Serotonergic and Noradrenergic Descending Pathways on Performance-Based Cognitive Functioning at Rest and in Response to Exercise in People with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Study.

(1) Background: Dysregulation in serotonergic and noradrenergic systems may be implicated in the neurobiophysiological mechanisms underlying pain-related cognitive impairment in chronic whiplash-associated disorders (CWAD). This study aimed to unravel the role of serotonergic and noradrenergic descending pathways in cognitive functioning at rest and in response to exercise in people with CWAD. (2) Methods: 25 people with CWAD were included in this double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover study. Endogenous descending serotonergic and noradrenergic inhibitory mechanisms were modulated by using a single dose of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (Citalopram) or a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (Atomoxetine). Cognitive performance was studied at rest and in response to exercise (1) without medication intake; (2) after intake of Citalopram; and (3) after intake of Atomoxetine. (3) Results: After Atomoxetine intake, selective attention improved compared with the no medication day (p < 0.05). In contrast, a single dose of Citalopram had no significant effect on cognitive functioning at rest. When performing pairwise comparisons, improvements in selective attention were found after exercise for the no medication condition (p < 0.05). In contrast, after intake of Citalopram or Atomoxetine, selective and sustained attention worsened after exercise. (4) Conclusions: A single dose of Atomoxetine improved selective attention only in one Stroop condition, and a single dose of Citalopram had no effect on cognitive functioning at rest in people with CWAD. Only without medication intake did selective attention improve in response to exercise, whereas both centrally acting medications worsened cognitive performance in response to a submaximal aerobic exercise bout in people with CWAD.

A cognitive rehabilitation program to improve hot and cool executive dysfunction in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: Preliminary findings

ObjectiveExecutive and attentional deficits are often described in Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME). We aimed to evaluate the short-term impact of rehabilitation developed for the most frequent cognitive deficits of persons with JME. MethodsThirty-three patients entered this study which consisted of 12 individual sessions once a 60-minute week, divided into planning/organization, attention, and impulsivity. Twenty-seven patients finished the protocol, and all patients had pre-and-post evaluations from neuropsychological tests and self-rating questionnaires. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) inferential statistics were used to verify the protocol's effect, and a 95% confidence interval was adopted. ResultsWe found significant improvement in selective attention (TMT A [p < 0.01] and Stroop test 2 [p = 0.03]), inhibitory control (Stroop test 3 [p = 0.02], FAS [p < 0.01], CPT commissions [p < 0.01]), mental flexibility [WCST categories p < 0.01] and implicit decision making (IGT blocks A [p < 0.01], B [p = 0.02], C [p < 0.01] and D [p < 0.01]). All components of the Behavioral Rating Index of Executive Functions metacognition index and the general quotient had significant improvement (initiative [p ≤ 0.01], working memory [p ≤ 0.01], planning and organization [p ≤ 0.01], task monitor [p = 0.02] and organization of materials [p = 0.02]). Regarding the Behavioral Regulation Index, the “Emotional Control” was improved [p = 0.03]. The attentional component and general scores of the Adult Self-Report Scale for Adults also changed significantly [p ≤ 0.01]. SignificanceExecutive function and attention had an improvement in objective and subjective tests. The context-dependent reactive mechanism of impulsivity improved in instruments based on the ecological evaluation. Our findings, though preliminary due to a lack of controls and practice effect corrections, support that cognitive rehabilitation may be a valuable resource to alleviate cognitive deficits in patients with JME.

The effects of 9 months of formulated whole-egg or milk powder food products as meal or snack replacements on executive function in preadolescents: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Elevated brain choline is associated with better executive functions in preadolescents. Manipulating dietary choline prospectively in preadolescents using egg supplementation could improve executive functions via effects on brain cellular and neurotransmitter functions. We tested the 9-month impacts of egg supplementation on executive functions. It was hypothesized that preadolescents who consumed meal or snack replacement products containing powder made from whole eggs would have the largest improvements in executive functions after 9 months compared to those consuming similar products with either added milk powder or gelatin as a placebo. A randomized, parallel-group, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial design was used. The executive functions of 122 preadolescents (58 females) aged 9-13 were analyzed before and after the 9-month intervention. The primary outcomes were 3 NIH Toolbox-Cognitive Battery measures of executive function: mental flexibility, working memory, and selective attention and inhibitory control. Participants were randomized to consume food products with either: 1) whole egg powder; 2) milk powder; or 3) gelatin as a placebo, all matched on macronutrient content and used as replacements for commonly consumed foods (i.e., waffles, pancakes, macaroni and cheese, ice cream, and brownies). Hypothesis testing used mixed-effects models that included physical activity and sleep scores as covariates. A statistically significant group × time interaction for selective attention and inhibitory control was found (P=0.049) for the milk group. This interaction resulted from no change for the placebo group and an improvement in selective attention and inhibitory control performance for the milk group by a T-score of 5.8; the effect size (d) was 0.44 SD units. Other comparisons were statistically insignificant. Consumption of foods with added milk powder as a replacement for snacks or meals for 9 months improves selective attention and inhibitory control in preadolescents. Replacement of foods with added whole egg powder does not impact 9-month changes in preadolescent executive functions. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03739424.

Does Executive Function Training Impact on Communication? A Randomized Controlled tDCS Study on Post-Stroke Aphasia.

New approaches in aphasia rehabilitation have recently identified the crucial role of executive functions (EFs) in language recovery, especially for people with severe aphasia (PWSA). Indeed, EFs include high-order cognitive abilities such as planning and problem solving, which enable humans to adapt to novel situations and are essential for everyday functional communication. In a randomized double-blind crossover design, twenty chronic Italian PWSA underwent ten days of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (20 min, 2 mA) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Two conditions were considered, i.e., anodal and sham, while performing four types of cognitive training (alertness, selective attention, visuo-spatial working memory, and planning), all of which were related to executive functions. After anodal tDCS, a greater improvement in selective attention, visuospatial working memory and planning abilities was found compared to the sham condition; this improvement persisted one month after the intervention. Importantly, a significant improvement was also observed in functional communication, as measured through the Communication Activities of Daily Living Scale, in noun and verb naming, in auditory and written language comprehension tasks and in executive function abilities. This evidence emphasizes, for the first time, that tDCS over the right DLPFC combined with executive training enhances functional communication in severe aphasia.

A Single Session of SMR-Neurofeedback Training Improves Selective Attention Emerging from a Dynamic Structuring of Brain-Heart Interplay.

Research on sensorimotor rhythms (SMR) based on neurofeedback (NFb) emphasizes improvements in selective attention associated with SMR amplification. However, the long-term training proposed in most studies posed the question of acceptability, which led to the evaluation of the potential of a single NFb session. Based on cognitive and autonomic controls interfering with attention processes, we hypothesized changes in selective attention after a single SMR-NFb session, along with changes in brain–heart interplay, which are reflected in the multifractality of heartbeat dynamics. Here, young healthy participants (n = 35, 20 females, 21 ± 3 years) were randomly assigned either to a control group (Ctrl) watching a movie or to a neurofeedback (NFb) group performing a single session of SMR-NFb. A headset with EEG electrodes (positioned on C3 and C4) connected to a smartphone app served to guide and to evaluate NFb training efficacy. A Stroop task was performed for 8 min by each group before and after the intervention (movie vs. SMR-NFb) while collecting heart rate variability and C4-EEG for 20 min. When compared to Ctrl, the NFb group exhibited better Stroop performance, especially when facing incongruent trials. The multifractality and NFb training efficacy were identified as strong predictors of the gain in global Stroop performance, while multifractality was the only predictor regarding incongruent trials. We conclude that a single session of SMR-NFb improves selective attention in healthy individuals through the specific reorganization of brain–heart interplay, which is reflected in multifractal heartbeat dynamics.

Comparing the Cognitive Functioning Effects of Aerobic and Pilates Exercises for Inactive Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aerobic exercises (AE) have been found to have short-term positive effects on certain aspects of cognitive functioning. Pilates exercises (PE) may have similar benefits. In this randomized controlled study, we compared the effectiveness of PE and AE on participants' cognitive functions. We randomly assigned 52 physically inactive young adult volunteers into either a PE group (Mage = 20.85, SD = 2.11years; 18 females and 8 males) or an AE group (Mage = 19.88, SD = 0.91years; 18 females and 8 males). In both groups, participants engaged in a moderately intense exercise program threedays a week for fourweeks. We tested participants on cognitive measures of selective attention and inhibitory control (Stroop test), verbal fluency (verbal fluency tests (letter and category); VFTs), and speed of movement (Nelson's Speed of Movement Test; NSMT). There were no group differences on the Stroop and the VFTs (p>0.05). However, there was a significant pre- to post-exercise difference for participants in both groups with a medium-large effect size (ES) on Stroop sections 1, 3, 4, and 5, respectively (PE: p < 0.001, ES = 0.58, p = 0.001, ES = 0.54, p < 0.001, ES = 0.88, p = 0.001, ES = 0.60; AE: p < 0.001, ES = 0.70, p < 0.001, ES = 0.89, p < 0.001, ES = 0.86, p = 0.006, ES = 0.65). There was a large effect size pre- to post-exercise detected for VFT sections labeled letter (PE: p < 0.001, ES = 1.45; AE: p < 0.001, ES = 1.11), and category (PE: p < 0.001, ES = 1.11; AE: p < 0.001, ES = 0.83), and there was a large ES for NSMT in the PE group (p < 0.001, ES = 1.07). Both PE and AE may lead to short-term improvements in selective attention, verbal fluency, and executive control in inactive young adults, and PE may benefit speed of movement.

Changes in Processing Speed, Cognitive Flexibility, and Selective Attention over a Four-Week Treatment Period in Inpatients with Moderate to Severe Depression

Abstract. Cognitive dysfunction among individuals with depression is associated with reduced functional status, and cognitive improvement is often an important treatment goal. We compared changes in cognitive performance over four weeks among 45 inpatients with a unipolar depressive disorder completing inpatient treatment to that of 20 controls on measures of processing speed and set-shifting (Trail Making Test), as well as selective attention (Test d2). In the patients, depressive symptoms improved significantly and with a large effect over the treatment period ( d = 1.22–1.81). Among the three cognitive domains examined, the most pronounced reductions among patients compared to controls were observed in cognitive flexibility (Group effect: ηp2 = .04). The effect of Group; however, was not significant. Likewise, there were no significant improvements in cognitive flexibility over time, and changes in cognitive flexibility over the four-week period did not differ between the two groups (Group x Time interaction). Performances in selective attention and processing speed improved over the four-week period, though neither the effect of Group nor the interaction (Group x Time) was significant regarding these performances. Change in cognitive performance was not associated with changes in symptom severity (incl. remission status). Taken together, the significant improvements in selective attention and processing speed were largely attributable to practice effects. Our findings lend further support to the notion that cognitive flexibility, selective attention, and processing speed are independent of improvements in depressive symptoms. This study underscores the importance of including comparison groups to control for practice effects when examining cognitive change, and providing treatments specifically aimed at improving cognitive symptoms.

QOL-23. ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF METHYLPHENIDATE ON LATE COGNITIVE EFFECTS IN PAEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOUR SURVIVORS: A SERVICE-BASED EVALUATION

OBJECTIVEOne of the most disabling side effects of treatment in survivors of brain tumours is the resultant reduction in level of processing speed and attention. This study aimed to evaluate intellectual and psychological benefit of short-acting methylphenidate to survivors of brain tumour.METHODSPaediatric BT patients attending a UK specialist treatment centre received assessment of cognitive performance. All patients identified with attentional difficulties were screened for contraindications to methylphenidate. Participants (N=23), mean age 11.09 years, completed a 6-month trial of methylphenidate. Measures of attention (Test of Everyday Attention for Children 2; SNAP-IV), side-effects (Stimulant Side-Effects Rating Scale), Health-Related Quality of Life (PEDS-QL), and experience of methylphenidate questionnaire (purpose-developed semi-structured questionnaire) were administered prior to medication and after six months.RESULTSParticipants showed improvement in selective attention (t(18)=-5.4, p=<.001, d=.93) and processing speed (t(16)=-3.0, p=.01) at follow up. Family ratings of attention were significant (t(17)=14.46, p<.001, d=-1.19). Change in subjective measures of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) was also statistically significant as reported by children (t(16)=3.91, p=.001, d=-.99), and on a parental-report measure of child HRQoL (t(15)=-8.19, p<.001, d=-1.09). HRQoL measures show improvement to physical, academic, and emotional domains as reported by participants.CONCLUSIONSPaediatric BT survivors showed benefit from provision of methylphenidate in terms of reduced attentional and processing deficit, and in terms of emotional wellbeing. Treatment was well tolerated. Continued follow-up of the current participants in a longitudinal study aims to evidence longer-term benefit to participants.

Elated or sad mood induction affects the attention of patients with a bipolar disorder less than that of patients with a depressive disorder

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The role of acute mood states as mediating factors in cognitive impairment in patients with mania or depression is not sufficiently clear. Similarly, the extent to which cognitive impairment is trait or state-specific remains an open question. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a mood-induction on attention in patients with an affective disorder.Methods: Twenty-two depressed bipolar patients, 10 manic bipolar patients, 17 with a depressive episode (MDE), and 24 healthy controls performed the Attention-Network-Test (ANT). In a within-participants design, elated and sad moods were induced by an autobiographic recall and measured on a self-report scale. Subsequently, participants performed the ANT again.Results: The modulating effect of the elated mood induction on attention was small. Only the MDE group displayed moderate improvements in selective attention and tonic alertness. Surprisingly, after the sad mood induction, patients with MDE improved moderately on phasic and tonic alertness. Phasic alertness was also enhanced in patients with mania. Finally, after the mood induction, patients with MDE showed the largest variability in attentional performance.Conclusions: Results showed only small effects of mood induction on attention. This supports the view that attention deficits reflect trait variables.

The Construction and Evaluation of Executive Attention Training to Improve Selective Attention, Focused Attention, and Divided Attention for Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To examine the immediate and long-term effects of executive attention training on selective attention, focused attention, and divided attention in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. A double-blind, multisite randomized controlled trial at five sites. Seventy participants (mean age: 78.19 ± 7.22 years) were assigned to an experimental group (executive attention training, n = 35) or an active control group (n = 35). The training duration was the same for both groups (45 minutes per session, 3 times per week, 18 sessions in total). Primary outcome measure was selective attention (Digit Span Task). Secondary outcome measures included focused attention (Stroop Color Word Test) and divided attention (Trail-Making Test Part B). Data were collected at pretest, post-test, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. In GEE analysis, findings indicated a significant improvement in selective attention at post-test, whereas divided attention showed significant reducing omission error at 3-month follow-up. There was no significant effect of group in focused attention associated with the executive attention training compared with active control group. The executive attention training significantly improved selective attention and divided attention performance. Future studies should identify transfer effects of attention training, and that can employ early screening to provide integrated attention training, and decrease its relevant risks on competency in performing daily activities, such as falling and driving.

Visuospatial processing improvements in students with Down Syndrome through the autonomous use of technologies

AbstractThe main purpose of our study was to examine whether autonomous training through the use of technologies could be associated with improvements in selective attention, visuospatial short‐term memory and visuospatial processing in students with Down Syndrome (DS). In addition, our study aimed to analyse how the improvements in selective attention and visuospatial short‐term memory tasks could predict improvements in visuospatial processing. Twenty‐six children and adolescents with DS who belong to specialized schools for ID participated in the study. Three different mobile applications, Bubbles (selective attention), Pairs and Learn (visuospatial short‐term memory) and Tangram (visuospatial processing) developed by Smile and Learn were used during a three‐month period by the students. The results showed significant improvements through training in both, Pairs and Learn and Tangram, whereas there was no significant improvement in Bubbles. The results also showed that Pairs and Learn performance could predict a 36% variance in Tangram one. Cognitive and educational implications of these results are discussed.

Dose Response to One Week of Supplementation of a Multi-Ingredient Preworkout Supplement Containing Caffeine Before Exercise

Background: We examined the effects of ingesting two preworkout supplements (PWSs) on selective attention and response inhibition, perceived exercise readiness (herein, readiness), and exercise performance-related parameters. Methods: Resistance-trained participants (N = 19) were randomized to a double-blind, crossover (7-day washout) placebo (PLA)-controlled study supplementing with (1) PLA; (2) PWS [beta-alanine (3.2 g), arginine alpha ketoglutarate (2.0 g), creatine nitrate (2.0 g), ascorbic acid (500 mg), N-acetyl tyrosine (300 mg), caffeine (300 mg), tetramethyluric acid (10 mg), Mucuna pruriens extract standardized for 15% l-Dopa (1.0 g), theacrine (10 mg), pyridoxal 5-phosphate (1.48 mg), folic acid (0.50 mg), and methylcobalamin (1.8 mg)]; and (3) PWS150 at ∼150% the PWS dose. Primary outcomes were Stroop test responses for congruent, incongruent, and interference tasks. Secondary outcomes were readiness and exercise performance (bench and leg press/Wingate). Data were analyzed by general linear models and presented as mean (standard deviation) or mean change [95% confidence interval, CI]. Results: Significant improvements in Stroop word testing were observed for PWS (6.57, 95% CI [1.36–11.8]) and PWS150 (11.5, 95% CI [6.26–16.6]), but not PLA (1.31, 95% CI [−3.89 to 6.52]). Significant changes in Stroop color testing were observed for PWS150 (8.1, 95% CI [4.52–11.6]) and PLA (4.47, 95% CI [0.89–8.05]), but not PWS (2.31, 95% CI [−1.26 to 5.89]). Similar results were observed for word–color. When all domains were summed, PWS150 (27.42 counts, 95% CI [16.08–38.76]) and PWS (12.26 counts, 95% CI [0.92–23.60]) showed significant improvements, but not PLA (11.26 counts, 95% CI [−0.077 to 22.60]). No significant changes in readiness, exercise performance, or adverse changes were otherwise observed. Conclusion: Consistent improvements in selective attention and response inhibition were observed with PWS150, but not readiness or exercise performance.

Cognitive Effects of Bifrontal Versus Right Unilateral Electroconvulsive Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depression in Elderly Patients: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Bifrontal (BF) electrode placement has been explored to refine the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) technique. No previous study has compared the cognitive effects of BF versus right unilateral (RUL) ECT by only including the subgroup that is most likely to receive it: elderly patients with major depression. Nondemented patients (n = 65) with major depression, aged 60 to 85 years, were randomly allocated to BF ECT and RUL formula-based ECT. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline (T1), within 1 week after a course of ECT (T2), and 3 months after T2 (T3). Six neuropsychological test measures of memory, 5 of executive function, and 3 of information-processing speed were administered. According to linear mixed models, there were no significant differences between the BF and RUL groups at any time. The retrograde memory score for public facts declined more for the RUL group (P < 0.001) than the BF group (P = 0.005) from baseline to the first retest and remained stable for both groups from T2 to T3. A rapid improvement in selective attention was observed in the RUL group from T1 to T2, but the scores remained stable from T2 to T3 (P < 0.001). This measure remained stable in the BF group from T1 to T3. Our findings indicate that there were negligible differences in the cognitive effects of formula-based BF or RUL ECT. The overall cognitive effects of ECT were equally favorable for each of the groups.

Predicting Motor Vehicle Collisions in a Driving Simulator in Young Adults Using the Useful Field of View Assessment

Objective: Being involved in motor vehicle collisions is the leading cause of death in 1- to 34-year-olds, and risk is particularly high in young adults. The Useful Field of View (UFOV) task, a cognitive measure of processing speed, divided attention, and selective attention, has been shown to be predictive of motor vehicle collisions in older adults, but its use as a predictor of driving performance in a young adult population has not been investigated. The present study examined whether UFOV was a predictive measure of motor vehicle collisions in a driving simulator in a young adult population.Method: The 3-subtest version of UFOV (lower scores measured in milliseconds indicate better performance) was administered to 60 college students. Participants also completed an 11-mile simulated drive to provide driving performance metrics.Results: Findings suggested that subtests 1 and 2 suffered from a ceiling effect. UFOV subtest 3 significantly predicted collisions in the simulated drive. Each 30 ms slower on the subtest was associated with nearly a 10% increase in the risk of a simulated collision. Post hoc analyses revealed a small partially mediating effect of subtest 3 on the relationship between driving experience and collisions.Conclusion: The selective attention component of UFOV subtest 3 may be a predictive measure of crash involvement in a young adult population. Improvements in selective attention may be the underlying mechanism in how driving experience improves driving performance.

Development of auditory selective attention: why children struggle to hear in noisy environments.

Children’s hearing deteriorates markedly in the presence of unpredictable noise. To explore why, 187 school-age children (4–11 years) and 15 adults performed a tone-in-noise detection task, in which the masking noise varied randomly between every presentation. Selective attention was evaluated by measuring the degree to which listeners were influenced by (i.e., gave weight to) each spectral region of the stimulus. Psychometric fits were also used to estimate levels of internal noise and bias. Levels of masking were found to decrease with age, becoming adult-like by 9–11 years. This change was explained by improvements in selective attention alone, with older listeners better able to ignore noise similar in frequency to the target. Consistent with this, age-related differences in masking were abolished when the noise was made more distant in frequency to the target. This work offers novel evidence that improvements in selective attention are critical for the normal development of auditory judgments.

Cognitive training and selective attention in the aging brain: An electrophysiological study

ObjectiveAge-related deficits in selective attention are hypothesized to result from decrements in inhibition of task-irrelevant information. Speed of processing (SOP) training is an adaptive cognitive intervention designed to enhance processing speed for attention tasks. The effectiveness of SOP training to improve cognitive and everyday functional performance is well documented. However, underlying mechanisms of these training benefits are unknown. MethodsParticipants completed a visual search task evaluated using event-related potentials (ERPs) before and after 10weeks of SOP training or no contact. N2pc and P3b components were evaluated to determine SOP training effects on attentional resource allocation and capacity. ResultsSelective attention to a target was enhanced after SOP training compared to no training. N2pc and P3b amplitudes increased after training, reflecting attentional allocation and capacity enhancement, consistent with previous studies demonstrating behavioral improvements in selective attention following SOP training. ConclusionsChanges in ERPs related to attention allocation and capacity following SOP training support the idea that training leads to cognitive enhancement. Specifically, we provide electrophysiological evidence that SOP training may be successful in counteracting age-related declines in selective attention. SignificanceThis study provides important evidence of the underlying mechanisms by which SOP training improves cognitive function in older adults.

Online games training aging brains: limited transfer to cognitive control functions

The prevalence of age-related cognitive decline will increase due to graying of the global population. The goal of the present study was to test whether playing online cognitive training games can improve cognitive control (CC) in healthy older adults. Fifty-four older adults (age 60–77) played five different cognitive training games online for 30 min a day over a period of seven weeks (game group). Another group of 20 older adults (age 61–73) instead answered quiz questions about documentaries online (documentary group). Transfer was assessed by means of a cognitive test battery administered before and after the intervention. The test battery included measures of working memory updating, set shifting, response inhibition, attention, and inductive reasoning. Compared with the documentary group, the game group showed larger improvement of inhibition (Stop-Signal task) and inductive reasoning (Raven-SPM), whereas the documentary group showed more improvement in selective attention (UFoV-3). These effects qualify as transfer effects, because response inhibition, inductive reasoning and selective attention were not targeted by the interventions. However, because seven other indicators of CC did not show benefits of game training and some of those that did suffered from potential baseline differences, the study as a whole provides only modest support for the potential of videogame training to improve CC in healthy older adults.

The Increase of Attention in Rett Syndrome: A Pre-Test/Post-Test Research Design

Rett Syndrome (RS) is a neuro-developmental disorder, predominantly affecting females, resulting in severe mental retardation and neuro-behavioral disability. Some RS theoreticians hypothesize that behaviors that are neurologically driven are not open to modification. Despite these claims, the aim of this study is to show that girls with RS can increase high attention abilities through well structured procedures. Twelve girls with RS are involved in training based on the improvement of the attention process and reduction of help needed. The procedure was carried out in five phases with a pre-test/post-test design for clinical research. Results point out that girls with RS show an improvement in selective attention and a decrease in the amount of help needed during the training. This intervention demonstrated that individuals with RS could be promoted and motivated to learn when they were appropriately and therapeutically stimulated.