title: Cognitive training modifies frequency EEG bands and neuropsychological measures in Rett syndrome.
abstract: Rett syndrome (RS) is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a primary disturbance in neuronal development. Neurological abnormalities in RS are reflected in several behavioral and cognitive impairments such as stereotypies, loss of speech and hand skills, gait apraxia, irregular breathing with hyperventilation while awake, and frequent seizures. Cognitive training can enhance both neuropsychological and neurophysiological parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate whether behaviors and brain activity were modified by training in RS. The modifications were assessed in two phases: (a) after a short-term training (STT) session, i.e., after 30 min of training and (b) after long-term training (LTT), i.e., after 5 days of training. Thirty-four girls with RS were divided into two groups: a training group (21 girls) who underwent the LTT and a control group (13 girls) that did not undergo LTT. The gaze and quantitative EEG (QEEG) data were recorded during the administration of the tasks. A gold-standard eye-tracker and a wearable EEG equipment were used. Results suggest that the participants in the STT task showed a habituation effect, decreased beta activity and increased right asymmetry. The participants in the LTT task looked faster and longer at the target, and show increased beta activity and decreased theta activity, while a leftward asymmetry was re-established. The overall result of this study indicates a positive effect of long-term cognitive training on brain and behavioral parameters in subject with RS.
authors: Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. Electronic address: rafabio@unime.it.
authors: Rosa Angela
authors: RA
authors: Fabio
authors: Department of Clinical Physiology, CNR Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Billeci
authors: Department of Clinical Physiology, CNR Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Crifaci
authors: Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors: Emilia
authors: E
authors: Troise
authors: Department of Pediatric Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Tortorella
authors: ISASI (Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti), CNR, Messina, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Pioggia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001611:Beta Rhythm; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D004569:Electroencephalography; D053483:Eye Movement Measurements; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D015518:Rett Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013826:Theta Rhythm; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cognitive training; Electroencephalographic pattern; Eye-tracking; Neuroplasticity; Rett syndrome