Neural Correlates of Cognitive Remediation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neural Correlates of Cognitive Remediation: A Pilot Study
IRAS ID
271002
Contact name
Peter Uhlhaas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
The current proposal is a pilot study to examine whether a computerised cognitive training programme can improve brain function, cognition and behaviour in persons at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis and individuals with first episode psychosis (FEP). Importantly, impairments in perception and cognition are predictors for transition to psychosis and are strongly linked to functional outcome. Computerised training procedures can significantly impact perceptual and higher cognitive processes and their physiological substrates, thereby improving functioning. However, few studies have so far examined the possibility to improve cognitive deficits and underlying circuit impairments in CHR and FEP participants.
Participants will be asked to complete a computerised cognitive training programme in their own time, using a computer or laptop. This will involve 10 sessions over 10 weekdays (1 hour per day) with each session comprising 8 different visual processing exercises repeated 3 times. These exercises will become progressively harder as skill level improves. Before and after this training programme, participants will complete a neuropsychological assessment and a brain imaging session. Specifically, we will utilise Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetoencephalography (MEG) in order to investigate gamma-band oscillations in visual cortex.
Summary of Results
Although cognitive training can alleviate cognitive deficits and enhance gamma-band activity among individuals with schizophrenia, evidence for its effectiveness in clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P) and first-episode psychosis (FEP) populations is limited. Therefore, we investigated whether computerised cognitive training could improve cognition and enhance gamma-band activity in CHR-P and FEP participants. Thirteen participants (n = 5 CHR-P; n = 8 FEP) completed 10 hours of computerised cognitive training. Before and after the training, participants completed the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) data were obtained during a visual grating task.
We found significant improvements pre- to post-training in verbal memory, motor speed, attention and processing speed and BACS total score as well as a significant reduction in executive function. We also found a significant increase in gamma-band power (~40-44 Hz) which was localised to frontal, motor and cingulate regions.
Our findings suggest that computerised cognitive training can improve cognitive performance. In addition, we found significant improvements in gamma-band activity. Overall, our findings implicate improved attentional and motor-related processes in CHR-P and FEP participants following a 10-hour cognitive training intervention.REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
19/WS/0142
Date of REC Opinion
29 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion