Information-based rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate learning during auditory working memory training: a proof-of-concept study
IntroductionRhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation (rhTMS) has been shown to enhance auditory working memory manipulation, specifically by boosting theta oscillatory power in the dorsal auditory pathway during task performance. It remains unclear whether these enhancements (i) persist beyond the...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2024.1355565/full |
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| author | Heather T. Whittaker Heather T. Whittaker Lina Khayyat Jessica Fortier-Lavallée Megan Laverdière Carole Bélanger Robert J. Zatorre Robert J. Zatorre Philippe Albouy Philippe Albouy Philippe Albouy |
| author_facet | Heather T. Whittaker Heather T. Whittaker Lina Khayyat Jessica Fortier-Lavallée Megan Laverdière Carole Bélanger Robert J. Zatorre Robert J. Zatorre Philippe Albouy Philippe Albouy Philippe Albouy |
| author_sort | Heather T. Whittaker |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionRhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation (rhTMS) has been shown to enhance auditory working memory manipulation, specifically by boosting theta oscillatory power in the dorsal auditory pathway during task performance. It remains unclear whether these enhancements (i) persist beyond the period of stimulation, (ii) if they can accelerate learning and (iii) if they would accumulate over several days of stimulation. In the present study, we investigated the lasting behavioral and electrophysiological effects of applying rhTMS over the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) throughout the course of seven sessions of cognitive training on an auditory working memory task.MethodsA limited sample of 14 neurologically healthy participants took part in the training protocol with an auditory working memory task while being stimulated with either theta (5 Hz) rhTMS or sham TMS. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before, throughout five training sessions and after the end of training to assess to effects of rhTMS on behavioral performance and on oscillatory entrainment of the dorsal auditory network.ResultsWe show that this combined approach enhances theta oscillatory activity within the fronto-parietal network and causes improvements in auditoryworking memory performance. We show that compared to individuals who received sham stimulation, cognitive training can be accelerated when combined with optimized rhTMS, and that task performance benefits can outlast the training period by ∼ 3 days. Furthermore, we show that there is increased theta oscillatory power within the recruited dorsal auditory network during training, and that sustained EEG changes can be observed ∼ 3 days following stimulation.DiscussionThe present study, while underpowered for definitive statistical analyses, serves to improve our understanding of the causal dynamic interactions supporting auditory working memory. Our results constitute an important proof of concept for the potential translational impact of non-invasive brain stimulation protocols and provide preliminary data for developing optimized rhTMS and training protocols that could be implemented in clinical populations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:51:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6810ea9214c942be94306b1789abec4d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:51:28Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-6810ea9214c942be94306b1789abec4d2024-04-04T04:40:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2024-04-011810.3389/fnins.2024.13555651355565Information-based rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate learning during auditory working memory training: a proof-of-concept studyHeather T. Whittaker0Heather T. Whittaker1Lina Khayyat2Jessica Fortier-Lavallée3Megan Laverdière4Carole Bélanger5Robert J. Zatorre6Robert J. Zatorre7Philippe Albouy8Philippe Albouy9Philippe Albouy10Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, CanadaInternational Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS) - Centre for Research on Brain Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, QC, CanadaCognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, CanadaCERVO Brain Research Centre, School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, CanadaCERVO Brain Research Centre, School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, CanadaCERVO Brain Research Centre, School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, CanadaCognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, CanadaInternational Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS) - Centre for Research on Brain Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, QC, CanadaCognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, CanadaInternational Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS) - Centre for Research on Brain Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, QC, CanadaCERVO Brain Research Centre, School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, CanadaIntroductionRhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation (rhTMS) has been shown to enhance auditory working memory manipulation, specifically by boosting theta oscillatory power in the dorsal auditory pathway during task performance. It remains unclear whether these enhancements (i) persist beyond the period of stimulation, (ii) if they can accelerate learning and (iii) if they would accumulate over several days of stimulation. In the present study, we investigated the lasting behavioral and electrophysiological effects of applying rhTMS over the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) throughout the course of seven sessions of cognitive training on an auditory working memory task.MethodsA limited sample of 14 neurologically healthy participants took part in the training protocol with an auditory working memory task while being stimulated with either theta (5 Hz) rhTMS or sham TMS. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before, throughout five training sessions and after the end of training to assess to effects of rhTMS on behavioral performance and on oscillatory entrainment of the dorsal auditory network.ResultsWe show that this combined approach enhances theta oscillatory activity within the fronto-parietal network and causes improvements in auditoryworking memory performance. We show that compared to individuals who received sham stimulation, cognitive training can be accelerated when combined with optimized rhTMS, and that task performance benefits can outlast the training period by ∼ 3 days. Furthermore, we show that there is increased theta oscillatory power within the recruited dorsal auditory network during training, and that sustained EEG changes can be observed ∼ 3 days following stimulation.DiscussionThe present study, while underpowered for definitive statistical analyses, serves to improve our understanding of the causal dynamic interactions supporting auditory working memory. Our results constitute an important proof of concept for the potential translational impact of non-invasive brain stimulation protocols and provide preliminary data for developing optimized rhTMS and training protocols that could be implemented in clinical populations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2024.1355565/fullTMScognitionmemoryEEGtheta oscillationsfronto-parietal network |
| spellingShingle | Heather T. Whittaker Heather T. Whittaker Lina Khayyat Jessica Fortier-Lavallée Megan Laverdière Carole Bélanger Robert J. Zatorre Robert J. Zatorre Philippe Albouy Philippe Albouy Philippe Albouy Information-based rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate learning during auditory working memory training: a proof-of-concept study Frontiers in Neuroscience TMS cognition memory EEG theta oscillations fronto-parietal network |
| title | Information-based rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate learning during auditory working memory training: a proof-of-concept study |
| title_full | Information-based rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate learning during auditory working memory training: a proof-of-concept study |
| title_fullStr | Information-based rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate learning during auditory working memory training: a proof-of-concept study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Information-based rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate learning during auditory working memory training: a proof-of-concept study |
| title_short | Information-based rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate learning during auditory working memory training: a proof-of-concept study |
| title_sort | information based rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate learning during auditory working memory training a proof of concept study |
| topic | TMS cognition memory EEG theta oscillations fronto-parietal network |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2024.1355565/full |
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