Post-training Phase Research Articles

Effects of a Collaborative Problem-Solving Approach on an Inpatient Adolescent Psychiatric Unit.

Effects of collaborative problem-solving (CPS) approaches on an inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit were investigated during this study, modeling Dr. Ross Greene's CPS theory, which considers that cognitive deficits are associated with adolescent behavioral dysfunction; his research, treatment, and subsequent results on similar units were notably successful. The staff viewed prestudy, negative behavior modification and resultant punitive consequences as culturally acceptable. New York State's Office of Mental Health (OMH) disapproved these strategies, necessitating cultural transformation and alteration of routine responses to patients' maladaptive behaviors. The study incorporates quantitative, comparative, quasi-experimental design, utilizing retrospective staff surveys and hospital medical records to compare behavioral outcomes and staff perceptions during pre- and post-training phases of this 5-year study. A significant decrease in punitive strategies and techniques (p = .001), reduction in behaviors related to the need for restraints, and significant decline in self-inflicted injury (p = .005), length of stay (p = .001), and need for security staff involvement (p = .001) were noted.

Transforming growth factor β recruits persistent MAPK signaling to regulate long-term memory consolidation in Aplysia californica.

In this study, we explore the mechanistic relationship between growth factor signaling and kinase activity that supports the protein synthesis-dependent phase of long-term memory (LTM) consolidation for sensitization of Aplysia. Specifically, we examine LTM for tail shock-induced sensitization of the tail-elicited siphon withdrawal (T-SW) reflex, a form of memory that requires both (i) extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2; MAPK) activity within identified sensory neurons (SNs) that mediate the T-SW and (ii) the activation of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling. We now report that repeated tail shocks that induce intermediate-term (ITM) and LTM for sensitization, also induce a sustained post-training phase of MAPK activity in SNs (lasting at least 1 h). We identified two mechanistically distinct phases of post-training MAPK: (i) an immediate phase that does not require ongoing protein synthesis or TGFβ signaling, and (ii) a sustained phase that requires both protein synthesis and extracellular TGFβ signaling. We find that LTM consolidation requires sustained MAPK, and is disrupted by inhibitors of protein synthesis and TGFβ signaling during the consolidation window. These results provide strong evidence that TGFβ signaling sustains MAPK activity as an essential mechanistic step for LTM consolidation.

Effect of localization training in horizontal plane on auditory spatial processing skills in listeners with normal hearing

Introduction: Source localization depends on processing of monaural and binaural spatial cues. Although difficulties arising due to the deficits in the processing spatial cues are well documented in the literature, remediation programs aimed at resolving spatial deficits are scanty. The present study is a preliminary research aimed at exploring the changes in the spatial performance of normal-hearing listeners using localization training in a horizontal plane. Methods: Twelve normal-hearing listeners aged 18–25 years participated in the study. The study was conducted in three phases including pretraining, training, and posttraining phase. At the pre- and post-training phase, three tests of spatial skills, namely, test of localization in free-field, test of lateralization ability under headphones (i.e., virtual auditory space (VAS) identification test), and tests for binaural processing ability (i.e., interaural level difference [ILD] and interaural time difference [ITD]), were administered. The training phase consisted of structured localization regimen spanning eight sessions spread over 2 weeks. Results: Paired t-test revealed that root mean square error, ITD threshold, and VAS scores in the post-training phase were significantly better than pretraining condition, indicative of the benefit derived from training. ILD did not alter significantly in posttraining phase owing to the ceiling effect in pretraining phase. Conclusion: The localization training protocol used in the present study on a preliminary basis proves to be effective in normal-hearing listeners and its implications can be extended to other clinical populations as well.

Recurrent Classifier Based on an Incremental Metacognitive-Based Scaffolding Algorithm

This paper outlines our proposal for a novel metacognitive-based scaffolding classifier, namely recurrent classifier (rClass). rClass is capable of emulating three fundamental pillars of human learning in terms of what-to-learn, how-to-learn, and when-to-learn. The cognitive constituent of rClass is underpinned by a recurrent network based on a generalized version of the Takagi–Sugeno–Kang fuzzy system possessing a local feedback of the rule layer. The main basis of the what-to-learn component relies on the new active learning-based conflict measure. Meanwhile, the when-to-learn learning scenario makes use of the standard sample reserved strategy. The how-to-learn module actualizes the Schema and Scaffolding concepts of cognitive psychology. All learning principles are committed in the single-pass local learning modes and create a plug-and-play learning foundation minimizing additional pre- or post-training phases. The efficacy of rClass has been scrutinized by means of rigorous empirical studies, statistical tests, and benchmarks with state-of-the-art classifiers, which demonstrate the rClass potency in producing reliable classification rates, while retaining low complexity in terms of the rule base burden, computational load, and annotation effort.

Improving proactive control with training on language switching in bilinguals.

The present study examined how a short period of language switching training affects nonverbal cognitive control, as measured by the AX version of the Continuous Performance Test. A group of Chinese-English bilinguals were trained over 10 days on a picture naming task that required switching between languages. We recorded their behavioral performance and event-related potentials before and after the training to examine its effects on cognitive performance. The behavioral measurement of proactive control, that is, goal maintenance before the occurrence of the target, is significantly larger in the post-training phase as compared with the pretraining phase, indicating a proactive control shift. The event-related potential results show that the training led to an increase in the mean amplitude of the N2 component, elicited by both the cue and the probe stimuli. A group of control participants who did not undergo training showed an enlarged N2 only for the probe but not for the cue stimuli in the second as compared with the first phase of testing. No variations in behavioral performance were found in the control group between the two phases of testing. These findings suggest that language switching training enhances proactive control in bilinguals.

Reward modulates oculomotor competition between differently valued stimuli

The present work explored the effects of reward in the well-known global effect paradigm in which two objects appear simultaneously in close spatial proximity. The experiment consisted of three phases (i) a pre-training phase that served as a baseline, (ii) a reward-training phase to associate differently colored stimuli with high, low and no reward value, and (iii) a post-training phase in which rewards were no longer delivered, to examine whether objects previously associated with higher reward value attracted the eyes more strongly than those associated with low or no reward value. Unlike previous reward studies, the differently valued objects directly competed with each other on the same trial. The results showed that initially eye movements were not biased towards any particular stimulus, while in the reward-training phase, eye movements started to land progressively closer towards stimuli that were associated with a high reward value. Even though rewards were no longer delivered, this bias remained robustly present in the post-training phase. A time course analysis showed that the effect of reward was present for the fastest saccades (around 170ms) and increased with increasing latency. Although strategic effects for slower saccades cannot be ruled out, we suggest that fast oculomotor responses became habituated and were no longer under strategic attentional control. Together the results imply that reward affects oculomotor competition in favor of stimuli previously associated high reward, when multiple reward associated objects compete for selection.

Real-time MEG neurofeedback training of posterior alpha activity modulates subsequent visual detection performance

It has been demonstrated that alpha activity is lateralized when attention is directed to the left or right visual hemifield. We investigated whether real-time neurofeedback training of the alpha lateralization enhances participants' ability to modulate posterior alpha lateralization and causes subsequent short-term changes in visual detection performance. The experiment consisted of three phases: (i) pre-training assessment, (ii) neurofeedback phase and (iii) post-training assessment. In the pre- and post-training phases we measured the threshold to covertly detect a cued faint Gabor stimulus presented in the left or right hemifield. During magnetoencephalography (MEG) neurofeedback, two face stimuli superimposed with noise were presented bilaterally. Participants were cued to attend to one of the hemifields. The transparency of the superimposed noise and thus the visibility of the stimuli were varied according to the momentary degree of hemispheric alpha lateralization. In a double-blind procedure half of the participants were provided with sham feedback. We found that hemispheric alpha lateralization increased with the neurofeedback training; this was mainly driven by an ipsilateral alpha increase. Surprisingly, comparing pre- to post-training, detection performance decreased for a Gabor stimulus presented in the hemifield that was un-attended during neurofeedback. This effect was not observed in the sham group. Thus, neurofeedback training alters alpha lateralization, which in turn decreases performances in the untrained hemifield. Our findings suggest that alpha oscillations play a causal role for the allocation of attention. Furthermore, our neurofeedback protocol serves to reduce the detection of unattended visual information and could therefore be of potential use for training to reduce distractibility in attention deficit patients, but also highlights that neurofeedback paradigms can have negative impact on behavioral performance and should be applied with caution.

Effect of Extensive Interval Training on Lactate Threshold Level

Anaerobic threshold is defined as the physiological point during exercise at which muscular lactate production exceeds the rate of lactate oxidation and as a result, lactate shows up in the system and may be balanced or not, depending on the intensity of the exercise. The purposes of the study was to determine the anaerobic thresholds level of female athletes in different distance of running. Ten female athletes, range between 22 to 24 yrs. age, having some previous experiences of training were considered as the subjects of that study. The measured variables were resting heart rate, speed for different distance and the Blood lactate. The blood lactate were measured by colorimetric method with LA Kit (Bioassay). The subjects were gone for eight-weeks scheduled extensive interval training programme. The data were collected as pre and post training manner. Significant difference has found in increased blood lactate accumulation in different gradual increase of running distance such as 250mt., 300mt., 350mt. and 400mt., both in pre and post training phase separately. But considering the training effect, there were the reduction (250mt.-1.98%, 350mt.-.30%, 400mt.-1.39%) of blood lactate accumulation except in 300mt.( increased 2.66%) but that were not significant in same distance of running after the extensive interval training. The conclusion may be drawn that the reasonable Extensive Interval training programme have positive impact on improvement of anaerobic threshold level reducing the blood lactate accumulation.

Reorganization of large-scale cognitive networks during automation of imagination of a complex sequential movement

We investigated the functional reconfiguration of the cerebral networks involved in imagination of sequential movements of the left foot, both performed at regular and fast speed after mental imagery training. Thirty-five volunteers were scanned with a 3T MRI while they imagined a sequence of ankle movements (dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, varus and valgus) before and after mental practice. Subjects were distributed in two groups: the first group executed regular movements whereas the second group made fast movements. We applied the general linear model (GLM) and model-free, exploratory tensorial independent component analytic (TICA) approaches to identify plastic post-training effects on brain activation. GLM showed that post-training imagination of movement was accompanied by a dual effect: a specific recruitment of a medial prefronto-cingulo-parietal circuit reminiscent of the default-mode network, with the left putamen, and a decreased activity of a lateral fronto-parietal network. Training-related subcortical changes only consisted in an increased activity in the left striatum. Unexpectedly, no difference was observed in the cerebellum. TICA also revealed involvement of the left executive network, and of the dorsal control executive network but no significant differences were found between pre- and post-training phases. Therefore, repetitive motor mental imagery induced specific putamen (motor rehearsal) recruitment that one previously observed during learning of overt movements, and, simultaneously, a specific shift of activity from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (attention, working memory) to the medial posterior parietal and cingulate cortices (mental imagery and memory rehearsal). Our data complement and confirm the notion that differential and coupled recruitment of cognitive networks can constitute a neural marker of training effects.

Explicit and Implicit Temporal Learning Using an Action Video Game

Temporal training has been shown to improve temporal discrimination (Bueti & Buonomano, in press). Numerous studies have reported improved performance for the trained interval presented with different sensory characteristics (e.g., pitch, color, position, orientation; Karmarkar & Buonomano, 2003; Nagarajan et al., 1998; Westheimer, 1999; Wright, Buonomano, Mahncke, & Merzenich, 1997; Wright, Wilson, & Sabin, 2010) or in a different modality (Bratzke, Seifried, & Ulrich, 2012; Bueti, Lasaponara, Cercignani, & Macaluso, 2012; Nagarajan et al., 1998). However, temporal generalization has rarely been reported (Lapid, Ulrich, & Rammsayer, 2009; Wright, Buonomano, Mahncke, & Merzenich, 1997), making temporal perceptual learning mostly interval specific. The failure to show generalization might be due to the standard psychophysical training tasks that are typically non-engaging. Action video game training, on the other hand, has been shown to enhance performance on a wide variety of perceptual tasks that: require the flexible allocation of attentional resources, evaluate the spatial characteristics of vision, and measure the temporal characteristics of vision (Green, Li, & Bavelier, 2010). To date, studies on the effects of action video game training have been limited to the visual and spatial domain, while no such training has been applied in the temporal domain. The above-mentioned training regimes involved explicit training of a specific parameter. It has been shown, however, that implicit learning can also be achieved. For instance, implicit learning of rhythms has been previously demonstrated (Salidis, 2001), but as yet no such evidence exist for other aspects of timing such as time estimation. Drawing from evidence in the fields of temporal training, implicit learning, and video gaming, the goal of our experiment is to determine whether temporal training, explicit or implicit, can lead to improved performance on a temporal reproduction task. Participants will be assigned randomly into one of four groups (explicit – random and non random group, implicit – random and non random group) and will be pre- and post-evaluated in a vigilance, a working memory, and a temporal reproduction (visual and auditory) task. These three pre- and post-tasks have been chosen to serve a dual purpose. Firstly, participants will be evaluated in these tasks prior and after the training, instead of only in the temporal reproduction task, to ensure that they remain naive as to the purpose of the study. Secondly, as an internal clock account will be used to interpret our findings, we will measure potential enhancement in processing speed, working memory or attention due to the training regime. The training regime will be an action video game (visual) task rather than a psychophysical one, as video game experience is known to be physiologically arousing and psychologically motivating (Green, Li, & Bavelier, 2010). The game will be designed in a way that a bonus will appear on the screen randomly or at regular intervals. Knowledge of this will either be made explicit to the participants (explicit condition) or not (implicit condition). We anticipate that the group that will receive information about the regularity of the bonus and will train on the regular interval condition (explicit – non random group) will demonstrate higher accuracy and lower variability than all other experimental groups in the reproduction task at the post-training phase. We also anticipate that the group that will receive no information about the regularity of the appearance of the bonus and will train on the regular interval condition (implicit – non random group) will be more accurate and least variable as compared to the random conditions (explicit or implicit). Given that the training regime will be visual, pre- and post-testing in an auditory reproduction task will also allow for the measurement of cross modal interval enhancement.

N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptors Are Involved in Caffeine-Induced Facilitation on Memory Retention of Passive Avoidance Learning in Rats

Background: Caffeine is an antagonist of adenosine receptors. It preserves cognition and reduces neurodegeneration. The MK-801, a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has also shown amnesic properties in animal models. The effect of caffeine on MK-801-induced amnesia has not been the subject of any recent study. Methods: In this study, the effects of different doses (10 and 30 mg/kg) of caffeine on Wistar male rats (eight in each group), passive-avoidance (PA) response, and the impairment of this response by the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine) were evaluated. The PA response was examined by measuring the step-through latency, 1 and 3 days after the animals received foot-shock training. Results: When given intraperitoneally before the training session, 10 mg/kg caffeine elongated the PA response, but 30 mg/kg did not, and it even reduced the step-through latency significantly. Before and after training, administration of 0.2 mg/kg MK-801 significantly elongated the PA response. This finding showed that MK-801 had a detrimental effect on learning, consolidation, and memory. We found the first evidence that pre-training and pre-testing administration of 10 mg/kg caffeine significantly reversed the learning and memory consolidation process disrupted by MK-801. Conclusion: These results show an interaction between caffeine and the glutamatergic system, suggesting that low-dose caffeine can prevent learning deficit and amnesia produced by a NMDA antagonist in rats (model of schizophrenia in human) when injected in pre- and post-training phase and may be clinically useful for treating cognitive impairments in schizophrenia.

EFFECT OF EXPLOSIVE-TYPE STRENGTH TRAINING AND SHORT-TERM DETRAINING ON RATE OF TORQUE DEVELOPMENT DURING ISOMETRIC KNEE EXTENSION

Rate of torque development (RTD) is considered important for improving the performance in sports requiring explosive strength. Although RTD was reported to be increased after explosive-type strength training (Tillin et...

Effects of Strategy Versus Knowledge Training on Brain Activation Patterns in Chronic TBI

A mixed-design experiment compares two brain training/education programs at pre- and post-training phases. Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART) focuses on training in the use of strategic attention, reasoning, and other thinking strategies. Brain Health Workshop (BHW) focuses on education in general and practical facts about brain structure and function.

The effect of ghrelin on MK-801 induced memory impairment in rats

Accumulating evidence indicates that the brain-gut peptide ghrelin which is expressed in hippocampus improves memory and learning processes. The MK-801, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, has also shown amnesic properties in animal model. The current study was to find out whether intracerebroventricular administration of ghrelin can prevent amnesia induced by MK-801 in rats. A week after the surgery, during which cannuals were implanted in the lateral ventricular, the animals were trained and tested in a step-through type passive avoidance task. Memory retrieval was measured by step-through latency (STL) and total time in dark compartments (TDC). In the first series of experiments, we established a dose–response relationship for ghrelin on the passive avoidance paradigm. In the second set of experiments, animals were divided to two groups. In the first group, MK-801 (0.075, 0.15 and 0.3mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) immediately after the acquisition session and in the second group MK-801 (same doses) was injected (i.p.) 30min before the retention session. Analysis of data showed that in both groups, MK-801 impaired learning and memory. In the third set of experiments, administration of ghrelin (200ng/rat) right after the acquisition session (i.e. before MK-801 injection) improved the MK-801 induced memory impairment, but administration of ghrelin before retrieval session did not affect the MK-801 induced memory impairment.These results show an interaction between ghrelin and glutamatergic system. A novel finding in this study is that ghrelin can prevent amnesia produced by NMDA antagonist in rats when injected in post-training phase.

Dissociating proportion congruent and conflict adaptation effects in a Simon–Stroop procedure

Proportion congruent and conflict adaptation are two well known effects associated with cognitive control. A critical open question is whether they reflect the same or separate cognitive control mechanisms. In this experiment, in a training phase we introduced a proportion congruency manipulation for one conflict type (i.e. Simon), whereas in pre-training and post-training phases two conflict types (e.g. Simon and Spatial Stroop) were displayed with the same incongruent-to-congruent ratio. The results supported the sustained nature of the proportion congruent effect, as it transferred from the training to the post-training phase. Furthermore, this transfer generalized to both conflict types. By contrast, the conflict adaptation effect was specific to conflict type, as it was only observed when the same conflict type (either Simon or Stroop) was presented on two consecutive trials (no effect was observed on conflict type alternation trials). Results are interpreted as supporting the reactive and proactive control mechanisms distinction.

An Endoscopic Quality Improvement Program Improves Detection of Colorectal Adenomas

Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is a key measure of quality in colonoscopy. Low ADRs are associated with development of interval cancer after "negative" colonoscopy. Uncontrolled studies mandating longer withdrawal time, and other incentives, have not significantly improved ADR. We hypothesized that an endoscopist training program would increase ADRs. Our Endoscopic Quality Improvement Program (EQUIP) was an educational intervention for staff endoscopists. We measured ADRs for a baseline period, then randomly assigned half of the 15 endoscopists to undergo EQUIP training. We then examined baseline and post-training study ADRs for all endoscopists (trained and un-trained) to evaluate the impact of training. A total of 1,200 procedures were completed in each of the two study phases. Patient characteristics were similar between randomization groups and between study phases. The overall ADR in baseline phase was 36% for both groups of endoscopists. In the post-training phase, the group of endoscopists randomized to EQUIP training had an increase in ADR to 47%, whereas the ADR for the group of endoscopists who were not trained remained unchanged at 35%. The effect of training on the endoscopist-specific ADRs was estimated with an odds ratio of 1.73 (95% confidence interval 1.24-2.41, P=0.0013). Our results indicate that ADRs can be improved considerably through simple educational efforts. Ultimately, a trial involving a larger number of endoscopists is needed to validate the utility of our training methods and determine whether improvements in ADRs lead to reduced colorectal cancer.

Mental Retardation and Learning Integrating Skills

Studies have highlighted the importance of using new technologies during the planning of educational and didactic paths to develop skills and functions in disabled patients (Bruschi, 2001). Assistive technologies represent real opportunities of e-participation to social life (Calvani, 2011; Chiappetta Caiola, 2009), which also works as scaffolding to promote developing processes (Cooke & Husey, 2002). The authors’ contribution examines the importance of technologies in supporting subjects with mental retardation. It shows the usability of many inputs that offer disabled patients the possibility to exercise cognitive styles, their own characteristics and their own autonomies to increase motivation and self esteem. The aims of this research are a) verify the effectiveness of didactic software based on Precision Teaching method; b) verify gender differences. For this study 40 children have been selected (20 boys and 20 girls) with and without mental retardation. The research consisted of 3 phases: pre-training phase, training phase and post-training phase. Results show learning improvements in each group; in spite of students’ difficulties, the use of Precision Teaching has reduced significantly the initial cognitive gap, which refers to the number of correct responses (accuracy) and to time of response (fluency) relative to the learning of how to use money.

Role of the Primary Motor Cortex in the Early Boost in Performance Following Mental Imagery Training

Recently, it has been suggested that the primary motor cortex (M1) plays a critical role in implementing the fast and transient post-training phase of motor skill consolidation, known to yield an early boost in performance. Whether a comparable early boost in performance occurs following motor imagery (MIM) training is still unknown. To address this issue, two groups of subjects learned a finger tapping sequence either by MIM or physical practice (PP). In both groups, performance increased significantly in the post-training phase when compared with the pre-training phase and further increased after a 30 min resting period, indicating that both MIM and PP trainings were equally efficient and induced an early boost in motor performance. This conclusion was corroborated by the results of an additional control group. In a second experiment, we then investigated the causal role of M1 in implementing the early boost process resulting from MIM training. To do so, we inhibited M1 by applying a continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) in healthy volunteers just after they learnt, by MIM, the same finger-tapping task as in Experiment #1. As a control, cTBS was applied over the vertex of subjects who underwent the same experiment. We found that cTBS applied over M1 selectively abolished the early boost process subsequent to MIM training. Altogether, the present study provides evidence that MIM practice induces an early boost in performance and demonstrates that M1 is causally involved in this process. These findings further divulge some degree of behavioral and neuronal similitude between MIM and PP.

Short and Intense Tailor-Made Notched Music Training against Tinnitus: The Tinnitus Frequency Matters

Tinnitus is one of the most common diseases in industrialized countries. Here, we developed and evaluated a short-term (5 subsequent days) and intensive (6 hours/day) tailor-made notched music training (TMNMT) for patients suffering from chronic, tonal tinnitus. We evaluated (i) the TMNMT efficacy in terms of behavioral and magnetoencephalographic outcome measures for two matched patient groups with either low (≤8 kHz, N = 10) or high (>8 kHz, N = 10) tinnitus frequencies, and the (ii) persistency of the TMNMT effects over the course of a four weeks post-training phase. The results indicated that the short-term intensive TMNMT took effect in patients with tinnitus frequencies ≤8 kHz: subjective tinnitus loudness, tinnitus-related distress, and tinnitus-related auditory cortex evoked activity were significantly reduced after TMNMT completion. However, in the patients with tinnitus frequencies >8 kHz, significant changes were not observed. Interpreted in their entirety, the results also indicated that the induced changes in auditory cortex evoked neuronal activity and tinnitus loudness were not persistent, encouraging the application of the TMNMT as a longer-term training. The findings are essential in guiding the intended transfer of this neuro-scientific treatment approach into routine clinical practice.

Long-term memory persistence

Memories lasting 6–24 h or more are usually called long-term memories. Some of them, however, persist just a couple of days, and others last months or years. Recent studies have described a delayed post-training phase that induces memory persistence. Two mechanisms have been described in rodents immediately after hippocampal cellular consolidation is over that have been suggested to pave the way for systems consolidation. One consists of the single, delayed activation of a hippocampal set of processes initiated by the local release and action of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, triggered by D1 receptor activation by dopaminergic fibers coming from the ventral tegmental area 12 h after acquisition. The other involves a circadian activation of another mechanism that involves repeated cyclic AMP and ERK activation, also in the hippocampus. Both mechanisms may be related; brain-derived neurotrophic factor action is mediated by ERKs.