title: Neuroenhancement through cognitive training and anodal tDCS in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cognitive training has been shown to improve cognitive function and quality of life in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and is correlated with increased activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to test whether combining attention training with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) over the left DLPFC can improve training efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients impaired in attention/speed of information processing were randomly assigned to cognitive training during a-tDCS over the left DLPFC or cognitive training during sham tDCS for 10 daily sessions. Neuropsychological evaluations were conducted at baseline, after treatment and six months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When a-tDCS, rather than sham, was applied during the cognitive training, patients showed a significantly greater improvement in the Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) after treatment (p < 0.05) and in the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) 2" and WCST six months later (p < 0.05). They also had significantly shorter time to reach the most difficult exercise level, compared to sham treatment (6.3 vs. 7.4 sessions; p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that a-tDCS on the DLPFC during cognitive training fosters improvements in attention and executive function in MS patients and shortens treatment duration.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology Unit, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy flaviacaterina.mattioli@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology Unit, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellomi
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology Unit, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stampatori
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Center, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Ruggero
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capra
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy/Cognitive Neuroscience Section, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miniussi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000066530:Neurological Rehabilitation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex; D011788:Quality of Life; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; attention; executive functions; rehabilitation; transcranial direct current stimulation