Effects of DLPFC tDCS on Cognition, Oscillations and GABA Levels in Schizophrenia

项目总结/摘要 认知控制缺陷与精神分裂症（SZ）的功能障碍有关。这些赤字包括 随着时间的推移，维持任务相关目标和注意力的能力受损，并与受损的 背外侧前额叶皮层（DLPFC）的功能，这是支持认知的神经网络的关键枢纽 控制这项研究使用了一种非侵入性的脑刺激技术--经颅直流电 刺激（tDCS），以测试一组关于DLPFC在认知控制中的作用的机制假设 SZ的缺陷，重点是刺激引起的神经振荡和DLPFC GABA水平的变化。做 因此，我们将结合电生理学（EEG）和磁共振使用DLPFC靶向tDCS 磁共振波谱（MRS）方法来检查与认知相关的神经活动的刺激诱导的变化 控制在SZ。我们实验室的初步数据表明，DLPFC靶向的阳极tDCS可以增强神经元的功能。 振荡，支持目标维持在健康对照和个人与SZ。这 神经刺激方法为理解潜在的神经机制提供了一个令人兴奋的新途径 受损的认知在深圳，我们建议利用三个具体目标。目标1：比较以下因素的影响 任务参与与休息tDCS，以优化tDCS对目标维持相关神经的影响 振荡活动和任务绩效。目标2：确定DLPFC影响的区域特异性 tDCS（与枕骨tDCS相比）对SZ目标维持相关脑回路的影响。目标3：测试 关于tDCS对DLPFC GABA水平的影响、DLPFC相关振荡 活动和认知表现。成功地完成这些目标将解决 关于SZ认知障碍的文献，迄今为止，这些文献依赖于相关的方法，并将提供新的 深入了解SZ中DLPFC相关脑环路中断的作用及其潜在的病理生理学 机制等这也将为tDCS对大脑和神经系统的作用机制提供重要的新见解。 对这种疾病的认知。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Cognitive control deficits are associated with poor functioning in schizophrenia (SZ). These deficits include an impaired ability to maintain task-relevant goals and attention to a task over time, and are connected to impaired functioning of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a key hub in the neural network supporting cognitive control. The proposed research uses a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to test a set of mechanistic hypotheses about the role of the DLPFC in cognitive control deficits in SZ, focusing on stimulation-induced changes in neural oscillations and DLPFC GABA levels. To do so, we will use DLPFC-targeted tDCS in combination with electrophysiology (EEG) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) methods to examine stimulation-induced changes in neural activity related to cognitive control in SZ. Preliminary data from our lab suggests that DLPFC-targeted anodal tDCS can enhance neural oscillations that support goal maintenance in both healthy controls and individuals with SZ. This neurostimulation approach offers an exciting new avenue for understanding the neural mechanisms underlying impaired cognition in SZ, which we propose to utilize with three specific aims. Aim 1: Compare the effects of task-engaged versus resting tDCS in order to optimize the impact of tDCS on goal maintenance related neural oscillatory activity and task performance in SZ. Aim 2: Establish the regional specificity of the impact of DLPFC tDCS (compared to Occipital tDCS) effects on brain circuitry underlying goal maintenance in SZ. Aim 3: Test hypotheses about relationships between tDCS effects on DLPFC GABA levels, DLPFC-related oscillatory activity and cognitive performance in SZ. Successful completion of these Aims will address critical gaps in the literature on cognitive disability in SZ, which has, to date, relied on correlative approaches and will provide new insights into the role of disrupted DLPFC related brain circuity in SZ and its underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. It will also provide important new insights into the mechanisms of tDCS effects on brain and cognition in this illness.