Investigating Cortical Buffering Effects of Acute Moderate Intensity Exercise: A cTBS Study Targeting the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

Background: The beneficial effects of both single-session bouts of aerobic exercise and therapeutic exercise interventions on the cortical regions associated with top-down attentional control [i.e., prefrontal cortex (PFC)] have been well documented. However, it remains unclear whether aerobic exercise can be used to buffer against suppressive influences on the dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC).Objective: The current study sought to determine whether a single session of moderate intensity aerobic exercise can offset the expected suppressive effects of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC).Methods: Twenty-two right-handed participants (aged 19–30) completed a 20-minute movement-only control session [10% heart rate reserve (HRR)] and moderate intensity (50% HRR) exercise in a counterbalanced order. Following each exercise session, participants received active cTBS to the left dlPFC. Changes in executive functions were quantified using a Flanker paradigm employed at baseline, post-exercise and post-cTBS time points. Additionally, EEG was used to measure changes in event-related potential components related to inhibitory control (i.e., N2) and attentional control (i.e., P3) during the flanker task.Results: Behavioral results from the flanker task revealed a significant improvement in task performance following an acute bout of moderate intensity exercise. Furthermore, the effect of cTBS in both the movement-only control and moderate intensity conditions were non-significant. Similarly, EEG data from P3b and N2 ERP components revealed no changes to amplitude across time and condition. P3b latency data revealed a significant effect of time in both the moderate intensity and movement-only conditions, such that P3b latencies were significantly shorter across time points. Latency data within the N2 ERP component revealed no significant interactions or main effects.Conclusion: The findings of the current study provide tentative support for the hypothesis that both moderate and light intensity exercise promote cortical buffering against the suppressive effects of cTBS targeting the dlPFC. However, in the absence of a no-movement control, a lack of expected suppressive effects of cTBS cannot be ruled out.

Download Full-text

Investigating cortical buffering effects of acute moderate and light intensity exercise: a cTBS study targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

10.1101/2020.09.14.297010 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Felicia Manocchio ◽

Cassandra J. Lowe ◽

Peter A. Hall

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Light Intensity ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Flanker Task ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Single Session ◽

Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽

Intensity Condition

AbstractBackgroundThe beneficial effects of both single-session bouts of aerobic exercise and therapeutic exercise interventions on the cortical regions associated with executive functions (i.e., prefrontal cortex (PFC)) have been well documented. However, it remains unclear whether aerobic exercise can be used to offset temporary fluctuations in cortical activity.ObjectiveThe current study sought to determine whether a single session of moderate intensity aerobic exercise can offset the attenuating effects of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC).MethodsTwenty-two right-handed participants between 18-30 years completed a 20 minute session of light intensity (10% heart rate reserve (HRR)) and moderate intensity (50% HRR) exercise in a counterbalanced order. Following each exercise session, participants received active cTBS to the left dlPFC. Changes in executive functions were quantified using a flanker paradigm employed at baseline, post-exercise and post-cTBS time points. Additionally, EEG methodologies were used to measure changes in inhibitory control specific event-related potential components (i.e., P3 and N2) in response to the flanker task.ResultsBehavioural results from the flanker task revealed a significant improvement in task performance following an acute bout of moderate intensity exercise. Furthermore, the effect of cTBS in both light and moderate intensity conditions were non significant Similarly, EEG data from P3 and N2 ERP components revealed no changes to amplitude across time and condition. P3 latency data revealed a significant effect of time in the light intensity condition, such that latency was faster following cTBS. Similarly, latency data within the N2 ERP component revealed a significant effect of time on congruent trials in the light intensity condition; N2 latency was faster following cTBS.ConclusionThe current study revealed that light and moderate intensity exercise may provide a buffer to cTBS-induced attenuation of the dlPFC. This study provides empirical and theoretical implications on the potential for exercise to promote cognitive control.

Download Full-text

A single session of rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex influences attentional control in depressed patients

The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry ◽

10.1080/15622970701816514 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 34-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Marie-anne Vanderhasselt ◽

Rudi de Raedt ◽

Chris Baeken ◽

Lemke Leyman ◽

Hugo D'haenen

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Attentional Control ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Single Session ◽

Depressed Patients ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal

Download Full-text

Dose-Response Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise Intensity on Inhibitory Control in Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnhum.2021.617596 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Yu-Jung Tsai ◽

Shu-Shih Hsieh ◽

Chung-Ju Huang ◽

Tsung-Min Hung

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Flanker Task ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Cortical Arousal ◽

Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Vigorous Intensity

The present study aimed to examine whether the effect of acute aerobic exercise on inhibitory control of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is moderated by exercise intensity. Using a within-subjects design, 25 children with ADHD completed a flanker task with concurrent collection of electroencephalography (EEG) data after three different intensities of treadmill running. The results showed that low- and moderate-intensity exercises resulted in shorter reaction times (RTs) relative to vigorous-intensity exercise during the incompatible condition of the flanker task regardless of task congruency. A P3 congruency effect was observed following low- and vigorous-intensity exercises but not after moderate-intensity exercise. The mean alpha power, a measure of cortical arousal, increased following low- and moderate-intensity exercises but decreased following vigorous-intensity exercise. In addition, the change in arousal level after moderate-intensity exercise was negatively correlated with RT during incompatible flanker tasks. The current findings suggest that children with ADHD have better inhibitory control following both low- and moderate-intensity exercises relative to vigorous aerobic exercise, which could be characterized by an optimal state of cortical arousal.

Download Full-text

Bilateral Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex High-Definition Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation Improves Time-Trial Performance in Elite Cyclists

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2019-0910 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Luca Pollastri ◽

Gabriele Gallo ◽

Milena Zucca ◽

Luca Filipas ◽

Antonio La Torre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Time Trial ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

High Definition ◽

Ratings Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽

Elite Cyclists

Background: The effects of anodal transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) on endurance exercise performance are not yet fully understood. Different stimulated areas and low focality of classical tDCS technique may have led to discordant results. Purpose: This study investigated the effect of a bilateral anodal high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the cycling time-trial (TT) performance and physiological and perceptual response at moderate intensity in elite cyclists. Methods: A total of 8 elite cyclists (maximal oxygen consumption: 72.2 [4.3] mL·min−1·kg−1) underwent in a double-blind, counterbalanced, and randomized order the experimental treatment (HD-tDCS) or control treatment (SHAM). After 20 minutes of receiving either HD-tDCS on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 and F4) or SHAM stimulation, the participants completed a constant-load trial (CLT) at 75% of the second ventilatory threshold. Thereafter, they performed a simulated 15-km TT. The ratings of perceived exertion, heart rate, cadence, oxygen consumption, and respiratory exchange ratio were recorded during the CLT; the ratings of perceived exertion and heart rate were recorded during the TT. Results: The total time to complete the TT was 1.3% faster (HD-tDCS: 1212 [52] s vs SHAM: 1228 [56] s; P = .04) and associated with a higher heart rate (P < .001) and a tendency toward higher mean power output (P = .05). None of the physiological and perceptual variables measured during the CLT highlighted differences between the HD-tDCS and SHAM condition. Conclusions: The findings suggest that bilateral HD-tDCS on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex improves cycling TT performance without altering the physiological and perceptual response at moderate intensity, indicating that an upregulation of the prefrontal cortex could enhance endurance exercise performance.

Download Full-text

Single session of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex increased dual-task gait speed in chronic stroke: A pilot study

Gait & Posture ◽

10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.02.020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 78 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hui-Ting Goh ◽

Kendall Connolly ◽

Jenna Hardy ◽

Karen McCain ◽

Delaina Walker-Batson

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Dual Task ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Single Session ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal

Download Full-text

Multichannel anodal tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in a paediatric population

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-00933-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maike Splittgerber ◽

Christoph Borzikowsky ◽

Ricardo Salvador ◽

Oula Puonti ◽

Kiriaki Papadimitriou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Task Performance ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Flanker Task ◽

Paediatric Population ◽

Concurrent Task ◽

Anodal Tdcs ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽

Neurophysiological Activity ◽

Back Task

AbstractMethodological studies investigating transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) in paediatric populations are limited. Therefore, we investigated in a paediatric population whether stimulation success of multichannel tDCS over the lDLPFC depends on concurrent task performance and individual head anatomy. In a randomised, sham-controlled, double-blind crossover study 22 healthy participants (10–17 years) received 2 mA multichannel anodal tDCS (atDCS) over the lDLPFC with and without a 2-back working memory (WM) task. After stimulation, the 2-back task and a Flanker task were performed. Resting state and task-related EEG were recorded. In 16 participants we calculated the individual electric field (E-field) distribution. Performance and neurophysiological activity in the 2-back task were not affected by atDCS. atDCS reduced reaction times in the Flanker task, independent of whether atDCS had been combined with the 2-back task. Flanker task related beta oscillation increased following stimulation without 2-back task performance. atDCS effects were not correlated with the E-field. We found no effect of multichannel atDCS over the lDLPFC on WM in children/adolescents but a transfer effect on interference control. While this effect on behaviour was independent of concurrent task performance, neurophysiological activity might be more sensitive to cognitive activation during stimulation. However, our results are limited by the small sample size, the lack of an active control group and variations in WM performance.

Download Full-text