Reward motivation and neurostimulation interact to improve working memory performance in healthy older adults: A simultaneous tDCS-fNIRS study.

摘要: Abstract Several studies have evaluated the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over prefrontal cortex (PFC) for enhancement working memory (WM) performance in healthy older adults. However, mixed results obtained so far suggest need concurrent brain imaging, order to more directly examine tDCS effects. The present study adopted a continuous multimodal approach utilizing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) interactive effects combined with manipulations reward motivation. Twenty-one adults (mean age = 69.7 years; SD = 5.05) performed an experimental visuo-spatial WM task before, during and after delivery 1.5 mA tDCS/sham left (PFC). During stimulation, participants received performance-contingent every fast correct response task. In both sessions, hemodynamic activity bilateral frontal, motor parietal areas was recorded across entire duration Cognitive functions sensitivity were also assessed standard measures. Results demonstrated significant impact on activity. Specifically, faster responses observed tDCS, while no differences found under sham control conditions. these emerged only when taking into account individual capacity. Additionally, increased relative PFC, detected areas. These provide first evidence tDCS-dependent changes PFC execution Moreover, they highlight utility combining motivation as potential strategy improve efficiency low performing