INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 04 Program Schedule 02/15/2024 12:00 pm - 01:15 pm Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120) Poster Session 04: Neuroimaging \| Neurostimulation/Neuromodulation \| Teleneuropsychology/Technology Final Abstract #98 Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (cTBS) of the Default Mode Network for Sleep Improvement Does Not Adversely Affect Mean Reaction Time During a Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT) Melissa Reich-Fuehrer, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States David Negelspach, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States Lindsey Hildebrand, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States Gabriela Franca, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States Camryn Wellman, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States William Killgore, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States Category: Neurostimulation/Neuromodulation Keyword 1: neurostimulation Keyword 2: neuroimaging: functional Objective: Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) is a form of transcranial brain stimulation method that typically inhibits cortical activity. Recent research reveals that cTBS applied to the default mode network significantly improves total sleep time, sleep efficiency and sleep onset latency compared to placebo. However, neurocognitive effects of this intervention, such as on attention or reaction time have not yet been reported. We examined the effect of cTBS targeted to the Default Mode Network (DMN) on Multi-source Interference Task (MSIT) performance. Participants and Methods: In a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover design, active or sham cTBS was administered to 20 participants, 8 males (Mage=31.63, SD=6.74) and 12 females (Mage=23.75, SD=4.29), with sessions separated by at least 5 days. Participants underwent an fMRI session during which they completed the MSIT both pre and post stimulation. This task required participants to view sets of 3-digit numbers presented on a screen and identify which digit was different from the others as quickly and accurately as possible. The interference condition requires pressing a button corresponding to the value of the different digit, while the control condition involves simply identifying the spatial location of the different digit. This task is an effective method of assessing several cognitive functions such as sustained attention, error detection, response selection, and decision making. We conducted a repeated measures ANOVA to determine if inhibition of the DMN via cTBS affects reaction time or performance during the MSIT. Results: Mean reaction time was not significantly different between active and sham conditions (F(1,17)= 1.879; η_p²=.100; p=.188). A secondary analysis revealed that timing of cTBS significantly affected reaction time (F(1,17)= 6.901; η_p²=.289; p=.018), however this could be confounded by potential circadian effects on alertness or a result of improved performance associated with task repetition (M₁ =639.4, SD=5.033/M₂ =608.8, SD=4.479). There was no significant interaction between condition or time of administration (F(1,17)= 1.879, η_p²=.100; p=.188). Conclusions: These results build on our prior finding that cTBS to the DMN improves sleep outcomes, but further demonstrate that this approach does not affect mean reaction time during the MSIT task. The fact that the intervention is effective for its intended treatment but does not attenuate attention or motor output further bolsters evidence of its safety and utility. This also raises the possibility that cTBS inhibition of the DMN may facilitate sleep by a different mechanism than other approaches. Specifically, suppression of the DMN may reduce self-reflective negative ruminative thoughts rather than affecting alertness, producing sleep improvements via this alternate cognitive/affective network. Future research is needed to confirm the specific mechanism that DMN inhibition has on improved sleep measures.

Poster

02/15/2024
12:00 pm - 01:15 pm
Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120)

Poster Session 04: Neuroimaging | Neurostimulation/Neuromodulation | Teleneuropsychology/Technology

Final Abstract #98

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (cTBS) of the Default Mode Network for Sleep Improvement Does Not Adversely Affect Mean Reaction Time During a Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT)

Melissa Reich-Fuehrer, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
David Negelspach, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
Lindsey Hildebrand, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
Gabriela Franca, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
Camryn Wellman, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
William Killgore, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States

Category: Neurostimulation/Neuromodulation

Keyword 1: neurostimulation
Keyword 2: neuroimaging: functional

Objective:

Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) is a form of transcranial brain stimulation method that typically inhibits cortical activity. Recent research reveals that cTBS applied to the default mode network significantly improves total sleep time, sleep efficiency and sleep onset latency compared to placebo. However, neurocognitive effects of this intervention, such as on attention or reaction time have not yet been reported. We examined the effect of cTBS targeted to the Default Mode Network (DMN) on Multi-source Interference Task (MSIT) performance.

Participants and Methods:

In a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover design, active or sham cTBS was administered to 20 participants, 8 males (Mage=31.63, SD=6.74) and 12 females (Mage=23.75, SD=4.29), with sessions separated by at least 5 days. Participants underwent an fMRI session during which they completed the MSIT both pre and post stimulation. This task required participants to view sets of 3-digit numbers presented on a screen and identify which digit was different from the others as quickly and accurately as possible. The interference condition requires pressing a button corresponding to the value of the different digit, while the control condition involves simply identifying the spatial location of the different digit. This task is an effective method of assessing several cognitive functions such as sustained attention, error detection, response selection, and decision making. We conducted a repeated measures ANOVA to determine if inhibition of the DMN via cTBS affects reaction time or performance during the MSIT.

Results:

Mean reaction time was not significantly different between active and sham conditions (F(1,17)= 1.879; η_p²=.100; p=.188). A secondary analysis revealed that timing of cTBS significantly affected reaction time (F(1,17)= 6.901; η_p²=.289; p=.018), however this could be confounded by potential circadian effects on alertness or a result of improved performance associated with task repetition (M₁ =639.4, SD=5.033/M₂ =608.8, SD=4.479). There was no significant interaction between condition or time of administration (F(1,17)= 1.879, η_p²=.100; p=.188).

Conclusions:

These results build on our prior finding that cTBS to the DMN improves sleep outcomes, but further demonstrate that this approach does not affect mean reaction time during the MSIT task. The fact that the intervention is effective for its intended treatment but does not attenuate attention or motor output further bolsters evidence of its safety and utility. This also raises the possibility that cTBS inhibition of the DMN may facilitate sleep by a different mechanism than other approaches. Specifically, suppression of the DMN may reduce self-reflective negative ruminative thoughts rather than affecting alertness, producing sleep improvements via this alternate cognitive/affective network. Future research is needed to confirm the specific mechanism that DMN inhibition has on improved sleep measures.