Neuromodulation of Cognition in Older Adults

 描述(由申请者提供)：该项目将回答有关纠正老年人认知衰退的重要问题，并解决两个关键培训领域：高级成像(磁共振波谱、功能连接)和认知/临床衰老干预(认知培训)。PI是一位认知神经学家，在经颅直流电刺激(TDC)、认知和电生理学方面有很强的背景，并对磁共振成像有基本的了解。K01将提供有保护的时间和培训，使他的研究生涯坚定地专注于认知老化，特别是专注于开发治疗与年龄相关的认知衰退的新型非侵入性治疗方法。这项培训将提供所需的知识，将他的基础科学专业知识转化为老龄化人口中的临床翻译应用。本研究将探索一种旨在促进神经可塑性和最佳学习状态的组合干预方法，以增强健康老年人的认知训练效果，并改善技能的功能迁移。65岁以上的成年人是美国人口中增长最快的部分。因此，与年龄相关的认知能力下降是公众健康的一个主要问题。最近的研究表明，老年人的认知训练可能会对表现产生持久的影响，持续时间长达10年。然而，这些影响通常仅限于训练的任务，很少转移到其他认知能力或日常技能上。这项研究将考察认知训练与tDC配对的影响。将评估TDC和认知训练对认知、功能和神经成像测量的个体影响。TDCS是一种非侵入性的脑刺激方法，直接刺激参与主动认知功能的大脑区域，并在配合各种认知任务时增强神经可塑性。我们将使用对大脑结构、功能和代谢状态的全面神经认知、临床和多模式神经成像评估，比较认知训练和认知训练与tDC结合后导致的认知和大脑功能的变化。功能磁共振成像(FMRI)的功能连接性将用于评估工作记忆和集中注意力过程中大脑反应的连贯性；通过认知训练训练的积极认知能力。质子磁共振波谱(MRS)将评估大脑代谢物，包括任务相关脑ROI中对神经可塑性敏感的GABA浓度。我们假设：1)tDCs将增强认知训练的神经认知功能、脑功能和功能改善；2)tDCs对认知训练的影响将在训练后3个月内保持；3)脑代谢、神经可塑性(GABA浓度)和功能脑反应一致性(FMRI)的神经成像生物标志物在默认网络和功能相关的脑区将预测个体对认知训练和tDCs的反应。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project will answer important questions regarding remediation of cognitive decline in older adults and address two critical areas of training: advanced imaging (magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional connectivity) and cognitive/clinical aging interventions (cognitive training). The PI is a cognitive neuroscientist wth a strong background in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), cognition, and electrophysiology, as well as a basic understanding of magnetic resonance imaging. The K01 will provide protected time and training to focus his research career firmly in cognitive aging, specifically focusing on the development of novel non- invasive treatments for age-related cognitive decline. This training will afford the knowledge required to translate his basic science expertise into clinical translational applications in aging populations. The current study will investigate a method for enhancing cognitive training effects in healthy older adults and improving functional transfer of skills by employing a combined intervention approach targeting facilitation of neural plasticity and optimal learning state. Adults over the age of 65 represent te fastest growing portion of the US population. As such, age-related cognitive decline represents a major concern for public health. Recent research suggests that cognitive training in older adults can have lasting effects on performance, lasting up to 10 years. However, these effects are typically limited to the tasks trained, with little transfer to other cognitive abilities or evryday skills. This study will examine the impact of pairing cognitive training with tDCS. Individual effects of tDCS and cognitive training on cognitive, functional, and neuroimaging measures will be assessed. tDCS is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that directly stimulates brain regions involved in active cognitive function and enhances neural plasticity when paired with a variety of cognitive tasks. We will compare changes in cognitive and brain function resulting from cognitive training and cognitive training combined with tDCS using a comprehensive neurocognitive, clinical, and multimodal neuroimaging assessment of brain structure, function, and metabolic state. Functional connectivity from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will be used to assess the coherence of brain response during working memory and focused attention; the active cognitive abilities trained by cognitive training. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) will assess cerebral metabolites, including GABA concentrations sensitive to neural plasticity in task-associated brain ROIs. We hypothesize that: 1) tDCS will enhance neurocognitive function, brain function, and functional improvements from cognitive training; 2) Effects of tDCS on cognitive training will be maintained up to 3 months following training; and 3) Neuroimaging biomarkers of cerebral metabolism, neural plasticity (GABA concentrations) and coherence of functional brain response (fMRI) in default network and functionally relevant brain regions will predict individual response to cognitive training and tDCS.