Examinando por Autor "Luque-Casado, Antonio"

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A novel approach to study the behavioral, neural and phenomenological impact of prefrontal HD-tDCS on conflict resolution
(PsyArXiv, 2024-09-14) Holgado, Darías; Martínez-Pérez, Víctor; Martín-Arévalo, Elisa; Bekinschtein, Tristán A.; Fernández-del-Olmo, Miguel A.; Sanabria, Daniel; Luque-Casado, Antonio
This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on conflict resolution, focusing on behavioral performance, neural activity, and subjective experience. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to anodal, cathodal, or sham HD-tDCS groups and completed a 30-minute flanker task during stimulation. Using a comprehensive methodological approach, including Drift-Diffusion Modeling (DDM), EEG analysis, Lempel-Ziv complexity, and Temporal Experience Tracing (TET), we assessed the cognitive, neural, and phenomenological effects of stimulation. Behavioral results indicated no significant improvements in reaction times or accuracy across the stimulation groups. Similarly, DDM parameters showed no effect of HD-tDCS on cognitive processes. However, EEG data revealed a significant reduction in neural complexity, in the anodal group during resting-state, suggesting neural reorganization. Subjective experience analysis identified two distinct clusters of task-related feelings, though time spent in these experiential states did not differ between groups. Interestingly, sensation of stimulation was significantly higher for anodal stimulation than sham when analyzed as a single dimension. Despite null behavioral effects, this study provides important insights into the neural and subjective responses to HD-tDCS and emphasizes the value of advanced analytic techniques in examining brain stimulation effects. These findings contribute to the ongoing debate about the efficacy of tDCS in cognitive enhancement.
An Integrative Clustering Approach to tDCS Individual Response Variability in Cognitive Performance: Beyond a Null Effect on Working Memory
(PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2020-07-28) Luque-Casado, Antonio; Rodríguez-Freiría, Rocio; Fogelson, Noa; Iglesias-Soler, Eliseo; Fernandez-del-Olmo, Miguel
Despite the growing interest in the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the modulation of human cognitive function, there are contradictory findings regarding the cognitive benefits of this technique. Inter-individual response variability to tDCS may play a significant role. We explored the effects of anodal versus sham tDCS over the left prefrontal cortex (LPFC) on working memory performance, taking into account the inter-individual variability. Twenty-nine healthy volunteers received an 'offline' anodal tDCS (1.5 mA, 15 min) to the left prefrontal cortex (F3 electrode site) in an intra-individual, cross-over, sham-controlled experimental design. n-back and Sternberg task performance was assessed before (baseline), immediately after tDCS administration (T1) and 5 min post-T1 (T2). We applied an integrative clustering approach to characterize both the group and individual responses to tDCS, as well as identifying naturally occurring subgroups that may be present within the total sample. Anodal tDCS failed to improve working memory performance in the total sample. Cluster analysis identified a subgroup of 'responders' who significantly improved their performance after anodal (vs. sham) stimulation, although not to a greater extent than the best baseline or sham condition. The proportion of 'responders' ranged from 15% to 59% across task conditions and behavioral outputs. Our findings show a high inter-individual variability of the tDCS response, suggesting that the use of tCDS may not be an effective tool to improve working memory performance in healthy subjects. We propose that the use of clustering methods is more suitable in identifying 'responders' and for evaluating the efficacy of this technique.
An umbrella review of randomized control trials on the effects of physical exercise on cognition
(Springer Nature, 2023-03-27) Ciria, Luis F.; Román-Caballero, Rafael; Vadillo, Miguel A.; Holgado, Darías; Luque-Casado, Antonio; Perakakis, Pandelis; Sanabria, Daniel
Extensive research links regular physical exercise to an overall enhancement of cognitive function across the lifespan. Here we assess the causal evidence supporting this relationship in the healthy population, using an umbrella review of meta-analyses limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Despite most of the 24 reviewed meta-analyses reporting a positive overall effect, our assessment reveals evidence of low statistical power in the primary RCTs, selective inclusion of studies, publication bias and large variation in combinations of pre-processing and analytic decisions. In addition, our meta-analysis of all the primary RCTs included in the revised meta-analyses shows small exercise-related benefits (d = 0.22, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.28) that became substantially smaller after accounting for key moderators (that is, active control and baseline differences; d = 0.13, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.20), and negligible after correcting for publication bias (d = 0.05, 95% confidence interval −0.09 to 0.14). These findings suggest caution in claims and recommendations linking regular physical exercise to cognitive benefits in the healthy human population until more reliable causal evidence accumulates.
Análisis del efecto de un programa de Aprendizaje-Servicio sobre el rendimiento académico, la motivación y el emprendimiento social en estudiantes de la asignatura Iniciación al Voleibol
(Dykinson, 2024) Claver, Fernando; Luque-Casado, Antonio; Mayo, Xián; Gil-Arias, Alexander; Jiménez-Saiz, Sergio; González-Ródenas, Joaquín
El Aprendizaje-Servicio (ApS) como metodología innovadora que combina la adquisición de competencias por parte del estudiante con la prestación de un servicio a la comunidad tiene un recorrido limitado en las Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte. El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar el efecto de un programa ApS sobre el rendimiento académico, la motivación y el emprendimiento social de alumnos universitarios. Se planteó un diseño cuasiexperimental con un grupo experimental (N = 16) y un grupo control (N = 18). Los alumnos del grupo experimental aplicaron tres sesiones de enseñanza de voleibol playa (aprendizaje) a un grupo de adolescentes en riesgo de exclusión social (servicio). Se reportaron valores significativamente superiores en las calificaciones, la motivación intrínseca y el emprendimiento social de los alumnos del grupo experimental tras la aplicación del programa. El ApS tuvo una influencia positiva en los alumnos participantes, pudiendo ser atribuida a la aplicación de las competencias profesionales en un contexto real.
Effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation on conflict resolution: insights from behavioral, EEG and phenomenological measures
(Elsevier, 2024-10) Sanabria, Daniel; Holgado, Darías; Martínez-Pérez, Víctor; Martín-Arévalo, Elisa; Bekinschtein, Tristán A.; Fernández-del-Olmo, Miguel Á.; Luque-Casado, Antonio
The efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in enhancing conflict resolution abilities remains a contentious issue in cognitive neuroscience. To contribute further to this topic, we employed a sham-controlled between-groups design to investigate the cognitive, phenomenological, and physiological effects of anodal and cathodal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) targeting the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during conflict resolution tasks. Sixty participants completed a 30-minute flanker task, a widely used measure of cognitive control and conflict processing. Electroencephalography (EEG) activity was recorded at four time points: at rest, prior to task commencement, during task execution before tDCS administration, during task execution after tDCS administration, and post-task rest. Additionally, a novel method called temporal experience tracing (TET) was employed to retrospectively evaluate participants' subjective experiences throughout the experimental procedure. TET involved participants reporting the intensity of predefined experiential dimensions along a temporal axis. Findings revealed no statistically significant differences between tDCS groups in reaction time, accuracy data, drift diffusion modeling, or EEG frequency power analyses. Analysis of TET data unveiled an anticipated temporal pattern across all subjective dimensions, e.g., an increase in mind-wandering over time. Notably, significant differences between tDCS groups emerged in the "fed-up" and "boredom" dimensions, indicating varied subjective experiences influenced by stimulation conditions. Furthermore, Lempel-Ziv analysis demonstrated that EEG complexity escalated from the pre-task to post-task periods to a greater extent in the cathodal and sham conditions compared to the anodal condition. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the nuanced effects of tDCS during conflict resolution tasks. Notably, the employment of the novel TET methodology allowed for a comprehensive assessment of participants' subjective experiences throughout the experimental procedure. These findings contribute to advancing our understanding of the cognitive and phenomenological effects of tDCS and underscore the importance of integrating innovative methodologies in neurostimulation research.
Exploring the effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over the prefrontal cortex on working memory: A cluster analysis approach
(ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD, 2019-08-06) Luque-Casado, Antonio; Fogelson, Noa; Iglesias-Soler, Eliseo; Fernandez-del-Olmo, Miguel
BACKGROUND: The interest in the use of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the enhancement of cognitive functioning has increased significantly in recent years. However, the efficacy of this technique remains to be established. OBJECTIVE: The current study explored the effects of anodal vs. sham tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during the performance of the digit span backwards task. METHODS: 30 healthy participants received 'offline' anodal tDCS (1.5 mA, 15 min) to the left DLPFC in an intra-individual, cross-over, sham-controlled experimental design. Memory span performance was assessed before (baseline), immediately after tDCS administration (T1) and 10 min post-T1 (T2). We applied cluster analysis in order to characterize individual responses to tDCS, and in order to identify naturally occurring subgroups that may be present. RESULTS: Analysis of all the subjects showed that anodal tDCS failed to improve memory span performance. Cluster analysis revealed the presence of a subgroup of 'responders' that significantly improved their performance after anodal (vs. sham) tDCS in T1 (47%) and T2 (46%). However, there was no significant improvement in performance after anodal tDCS compared to the best baseline performance. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that tDCS does not improve memory span performance and highlights the need for better ways to optimize methodological approaches in order to account for inter-individual variability and accurately assess the evidential value of tDCS-linked cognitive outcomes.
Is intense physical exercise detrimental for cognition? A novel approach based on subjective, behavioral and physiological responses to a cognitive effort to failure
(PsyArXiv, 2024-12-23) Holgado, Darías; Leubaz, Ludovic; Ruggeri, Paolo; Borragán, Guillermo; Luque-Casado, Antonio; Bekinschtein, Tristán A.; Sanabria, Daniel; Place, Nicolas
Most previous research has investigated whether performing a demanding cognitive task reduces the time a person can hold a subsequent physical effort. However, no previous research has investigated if performing an intense physical exercise reduces the time a person can complete a cognitive task with an adequate level of performance. The aim of this study was to assess the subjective, behavioral and physiological responses of performing an intense physical exercise on a posterior cognitive tak until failure. In a pre-registered, randomized, within-participant design experiment, 29 physically active participants completed a cognitive task until failure after running at 90% maximal aerobic speed until failure or after walking for 10 min (control condition). During the cognitive task, brain activity was recorded with an electroencephalogram and brain complexity was quantified. Multidimensional subjective experience was assessed with the Temporal Experience Tracing method (TET). Sequential Bayesian analysis for the main hypothesis (intense physical exercise reduces cognitive task performance) until it reached strong evidence in favor of the alternative hypothesis (BF10 > 6) or the null hypothesis (BF10 < 1/6) were conducted. The physical exercise induced a reduction in maximal force generating capacity and increased rate of perceived exertion compared to the control condition, evidencing the strong differences in physical workload between conditions. The total duration to complete the cognitive task in both conditions were 4755.8 s (95% CI 3326.8 - 5107.8) and 4308.2 s (95% CI 3902.9 - 5481.2) for the control and experimental conditions, respectively with no evidence of difference across sessions (BF10 = 0.329). Subjective experience analysis identified two distinct clusters of task-related demands, but the time spent in these experiential states did not differ between conditions. However, cognitive task performance was better in the phases of low perceived demands. Brain complexity was lower after the maximal aerobic speed effort, indicating a potential shift in physiological states, although neither behavioral (cognitive) performance nor subjective feelings were affected.
Oscillatory brain activity during acute exercise: Tonic and transient neural response to an oddball task
(Wiley, 2019-01-13) Ciria, Luis F.; Luque-Casado, Antonio; Sanabria, Daniel; Holgado, Darías; Ivanov, Plamen Ch.; Perakakis, Pandelis
Intense physical exercise exerts measurable changes at various physiological levels that are well documented in the literature. However, despite the key role of the brain in processing inputs from internal organ systems and the external environment to coordinate and optimize behavior, little is known about brain dynamics during exercise. The present study investigates tonic and transient oscillatory brain activity in a group of participants performing an oddball task during a single bout of aerobic exercise. Twenty young males (19-32 years) were recruited for two experimental sessions on separate days. EEG activity was recorded during a session of cycling at 80% (moderate-to-high intensity) of VO2max (maximum rate of oxygen consumption) while participants responded to infrequent targets (red square and big blue circle) presented among frequent nontargets (small blue circle). This was compared to a (baseline) light intensity session (30% VO2max ) to control any potential effect of dual tasking (i.e., pedaling and performing the oddball task). A cluster-based nonparametric permutations test revealed an increase in power across the entire frequency spectrum during the moderate-to-high intensity exercise compared to light intensity. Furthermore, the more salient target (red square) elicited a lower increase in (stimulus-evoked) theta power in the 80% VO2max than in the light intensity condition. Alpha and lower beta power decreased less in the standard trials (small blue circle) during the moderate-to-high exercise condition than in the light exercise condition. The present study unveils, for the first time, a complex brain activity pattern during vigorous exercise while attending to task-relevant stimuli.
Test-Retest Reliability of the Timed Up and Go Test in Subjects with Parkinson's Disease: Implications for Longitudinal Assessments
(SAGE, 2021) Luque-Casado, Antonio; Novo-Ponte, Sabela; Sánchez-Molina, Jose Andrés; Sevilla-Sánchez, Marta; Santos-García, Diego; Fernández-del-Olmo, Miguel
BACKGROUND: Despite the frequent use of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in clinical trials, evaluation of longitudinal test-retest reliability is generally lacking and still inconclusive for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to further investigate long-term reliability and sensitivity of the TUG test among this population. Furthermore, we explored alternative assessment strategies of the test aimed at elucidating whether the inclusion or combination of timed trials may have potential implications on outcome measure. METHODS: Relative and absolute reliability of the TUG performance were obtained in forty-three subjects with PD over three timed trials in two different testing sessions separated by a two-months period. RESULTS: Our results reported excellent intra-session and moderate inter-session reliability coefficients. The use of different assessment strategies of the TUG was found to have an important impact on outcome measure, highlighting the averaging of several timed trials in each testing session as a recommended alternative to minimize measurement error and increase reliability in longitudinal assessments. Nevertheless, beyond acceptable reliability, poor trial-to-trial stability of the measure appears to exist, since the ranges of expected variability upon retesting were wide and the incidence of spurious statistical effects was not negligible, especially in longitudinal repeated testing. CONCLUSION: Limitations may exist in the interpretation of the TUG outputs as part of longitudinal assessments aimed at evaluating treatment effectiveness in PD population. Researchers and practitioners should be aware of these concerns to prevent possible misrepresentations of functional ability in patients for a particular intervention.
The impact of prefrontal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on conflict resolution and its phenomenological dynamics
(2023-09) Martínez-Pérez, Víctor; Alameda, Clara; Martín-Arévalo, Elisa; Fuentes, Luis; Bekinschtein, Tristán; Fernández-del-Olmo, Miguel A.; Sanabria, Daniel; Luque-Casado, Antonio
The effects of applying non-invasive brain stimulation techniques on conflict resolution performance is still an open question. Here we will address this issue by assessing the cognitive and physiological effects of applying anodal and cathodal HD-tDCS over DLPFC on conflict resolution by using a 30' flanker task. Moreover, the effects of the stimulation on phenomenological dynamics over the course of the task will be addressed. In a pre-registered, randomized, sham-controlled, parallel study, we will assign participants to one of the 3 groups of stimulation: anodal, cathodal, sham. A pre-post resting state EEG and the task-related oscillatory activity during the first and last 6' temporal blocks of the task will be measured. Stimulation will be applied online from the second to the fourth block of trials (18'). Right after, participants will be asked to report their temporal experience tracing. Behavioral data will be analyzed by applying a drift diffusion modelling. This novel approach will allow us to get a more thorough understanding of cognitive processes and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the effects of stimulation on conflict resolution. As far as we know, this will be the most comprehensive work on this topic
The impact of prefrontal tDCS on conflict resolution and its phenomenological dynamics: a HD-tDCS/EEG randomized sham-controlled novel approach based on Drift Diffusion Modeling
(Elsevier, 2023-10) Martínez-Pérez, Víctor; Martín-Arévalo, Elisa; Fuentes, Luis; Fernández-del-Olmo, Miguel Á.; Sanabria, Daniel; Luque-Casado, Antonio
When humans are faced with conflict resolution tasks, performance is usually impaired. The effects of applying non-invasive brain stimulation techniques on conflict resolution performance is still an open question under debate. In this study we will address this issue by assessing the cognitive and physiological effects of applying anodal and cathodal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) over bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on conflict resolution by using a 30-min flanker task. Moreover, the effects of the stimulation on phenomenological constructs such as mind-wandering, boredom, perceived cognitive effort and arousal over the course of the task will be addressed. In a pre-registered, randomized, sham-controlled, parallel study, we will assign participants to one of the three groups of stimulation: anodal, cathodal, and sham. A pre-post resting state EEG and the task-related oscillatory activity during the first and last 6-min temporal blocks of the task will be measured. Stimulation will be applied online from the second to the fourth block of trials (18 minutes). Right after, participants will be asked to report their temporal experience tracing (TET), a method that captures relevant aspects of their phenomenological experiences over a continuous period of time by drawing their headway in the task between two axes. Behavioral data will be analyzed by applying a drift diffusion modelling that enables statistical separation of different components of a speeded binary decision process. This novel approach will allow us to get a more thorough understanding of cognitive processes and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the effects of cathodal and anodal stimulation on conflict resolution. As far as we know, this will be the most comprehensive piece of work within this research topic.