Project 1

理解记忆工作的神经基础以改善WIVI功能 这项建议的目的是进行基础研究，以了解工作的神经相关性 记忆第二个目的是应用我们的研究结果来改善工作记忆功能， 健康老龄化和创伤性脑损伤患者通过新的神经刺激方案。一是 使用功能性神经成像（fMRI）来测试两种相互矛盾的理论观点， 工作记忆中的后顶叶皮层重要的是要了解后顶骨的作用 大脑皮层，以适当地设计改善工作记忆的治疗研究。因此， 第一个实验将指导应用实验的设计和预测结果， 经颅直流电刺激（tDCS）应用于特殊人群。TDCS被认为可以改善 认知功能通过几种机制。tDCS技术涉及应用安全、低成本的 头皮电流的水平。电流进入大脑皮层， 增加或减少皮层神经元放电的可能性，也可能增加大脑皮层神经元的活动。 白色物质束以克服白色物质损害。我们预测，阳极（+）tDCS应用于 前额叶和/或顶叶皮质，将通过以下方式改善视觉空间和言语工作记忆功能 增加健康老龄化中皮质激活的不活跃性。在一项关于工作的纵向研究中， 记忆，我们将应用顶叶，前额叶或交替顶叶/前额叶阳极tDCS到不同的群体， 健康的老年人。改进的持续时间将通过让参与者参加决赛来测试 在他们最后一次tDCS治疗后一个月进行行为治疗。第二组应用实验将测试 tDCS是否也可以有效地用于改善轻度或中度认知障碍参与者的认知功能， 创伤性脑损伤在这些参与者中，经常有白色物质损害。我们会进行 实验，看看交替顶叶/前额叶tDCS刺激是否会改善视觉空间或语言 脑外伤患者的工作记忆

Understanding the Neural Basis of Working IVIemory to Improve WIVI Function The purpose of this proposal is to conduct basic research to understand the neural correlates of working memory. The second purpose is to then apply our findings to improve working memory function in the healthy aging and in those with traumatic brain injury through novel neurostimulation protocols. First, we will use functional neuroimaging (fMRI) to test two contradictory theoretical viewpoints regarding the role of the posterior parietal cortex in working memory. It is important to understand the role of the posterior parietal cortex to appropriately design therapeutic studies for improving working memory. Thus, the results from the first experiments will guide the design and predicted outcomes ofthe applied experiments in which transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is applied to special populations. TDCS is thought to improve cognitive function through several mechanisms. The tDCS technique involves the application of a safe, low level of electrical current to the scalp. The electrical current passes into the cortex and can transiently increase or decrease the likelihood of neurononal firing in the cortex, and it may also increase the activity in white matter tracts to overcome white matter damage. We predict that anodal (+) tDCS applied to the prefrontal and/or parietal cortices, will improve visuospatial and verbal working memory function by increasing the underactivity of cortical activations in the healthy aging. In a longitudinal study of working memory, we will apply parietal, prefrontal or alternating parietal/prefrontal anodal tDCS to separate groups of healthy aging individuals. The duration of improvement will be tested by bringing participants in for a final behavioral session one month after their final tDCS session. The second set of applied experiments will test whether tDCS can also be used effectively to improve cognitive function in participants with mild or moderate traumatic brain injury. In these participants, there is is often white matter damage. We will conduct experiments to see if alternating parietal/prefrontal tDCS stimulation will improve visuospatial or verbal working memory in those with traumatic brain injury.