Enhanced frontoparietal connectivity in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls in response to an intensive computerized training focused on working memory

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.

Male and female are not the same: a multicenter study of static and dynamic functional connectivity in relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis in China

“…Furthermore, these functional networks have been widely reported in MS, and functional reorganization of the SMN occurs in all stages of relapse, remission, and recovery in RRMS, and are closely related to clinical disability ( 28 , 29 ). Furthermore, functional changes in the FPN and VIS are involved in cognitive dysfunctions in RRMS patients, including attention ( 30 ), working memory ( 31 ), and visual information processing ( 32 ).…”

Pre-training working memory/information processing capabilities and brain atrophy limit the improving effects of cognitive training

“…1 There is positive evidence in favor of some restorative techniques to improve WM/IP efficiency. In this regard, different studies using computerized n-back training have reported enhancements in the trained task, 2,3 with some studies even further describing positive near transfer effects to another test that assesses WM/IP. [4][5][6][7] In a previous study conducted in our laboratory, 8 we observed a general improvement in the execution of the 2-and 3-back tasks in a sample of PwMS with different cognitive statuses after undergoing an n-back training.…”

Predictors of positive outcomes following resistive inspiratory muscle training in non-ambulatory persons with advanced multiple sclerosis

“…IMT may be particularly suitable for persons with MS with positive prognostic factors. Co-treatment to address negative and potentially modifiable prognostic factors, such as fatigue, 13 comorbidity, and cognition, 14 may be considered prior to or concurrently with the IMT. Given that the MS disease course, pathology, impairments, and symptoms are diverse, 1 a better understanding about the predictors of the response to IMT may guide the development of individually tailored interventions to optimize the outcome.…”

“…The purpose of this study was to identify independent factors associated with improvements in inspiratory muscle strength following IMT using a resistive threshold device in PwAMS. In light of the paucity of relevant research, clinical characteristics of persons with MS that are commonly evaluated by clinicians and reported in the literature 5,6,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19] were considered as the potential predictors relating to the positive outcome following IMT.…”