Examinando por Autor "Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa"
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Ítem Altered frontal white matter asymmetry and its implications for cognition in schizophrenia: a tractography study(Elsevier Inc., 2019-01-01) Gómez Gastiasoro, Ainara; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire; Peña Lasa, Javier ; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa ; Rilo Cano, Oiane; Schretlen, David J. ; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaBackground: White matter (WM) alterations are well documented in schizophrenia. Abnormalities in interhemispheric fibers appear to account for altered WM asymmetry in the illness. However, the regional specificity (e.g., frontal versus occipital) of these alterations and their potential contribution to cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia remain unknown. Methods: Forty one patients with schizophrenia and 21 healthy controls (HC) underwent diffusion-weighted imaging on a 3 Tesla MRI machine. Tract-based spatial statistic (FSL) was used to assess whole brain differences in WM. Probabilistic tractography was performed in order to separately measure frontal and occipital WM tracts. Participants also completed tests of verbal memory and processing speed. Repeated measures analyses of covariance and Pearson correlation analyses were performed. Results: A significant group x cerebral hemisphere interaction was found for fractional anisotropy (FA) (F (1,17) = 7.03; p =.017; η p 2 = 0.29) and radial diffusivity (RD) (F (1,17) = 4.84; p =.042; η p 2 = 0.22) in the frontal tract of patients versus HC. Healthy controls showed higher mean FA and lower mean RD in the left frontal tract compared to patients, who showed the opposite pattern. In patients with schizophrenia, mean FA and RD in the right frontal tract correlated with verbal memory (r = −0.68, p =.046; r = 0.77, p =.015). Conclusions: Asymmetric WM alterations were found in a frontal tract of patients with schizophrenia. Higher mean FA in the right frontal tract correlated with worse verbal memory performance, suggesting a possible contribution these brain changes to cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.Ítem Amygdala neurodegeneration: a key driver of visual dysfunction in Parkinson's disease(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025-02-17) Erramuzpe Aliaga, Asier; Murueta-Goyena Larrañaga, Ane; Jiménez Marín, Antonio; Acera Gil, María Ángeles; Teijeira Portas, Sara; Pino, Rocío del; Fernández Valle, Tamara; Diez, Ibai ; Sainz Lugarezaresti, Unai; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Ayala Fernández, Unai; Barrenechea Carrasco, Maitane; Cabrera Zubizarreta, Alberto; Cortés, Jesús; Gómez Esteban, Juan Carlos; Gabilondo Cuellar, IñigoObjective: Visual disability in Parkinson's disease (PD) is not fully explained by retinal neurodegeneration. We aimed to delineate the brain substrate of visual dysfunction in PD and its association with retinal thickness. Methods: Forty-two PD patients and 29 controls underwent 3-Tesla MRI, retinal spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and visual testing across four domains. Voxel-level associations between gray matter volume and visual outcomes were used to define a visual impairment region (visualROI). Functional connectivity of the visualROI with brain networks was analyzed. Covariance analysis of brain regions associated with retinal thinning (retinalROI) was conducted using hierarchical clustering to develop a model of retinal and brain neurodegeneration linked to disease progression. Results: The amygdala was the primary component of the visualROI, comprising 32.3% and 14.6% of its left and right volumes. Functional connectivity analysis revealed significant disruptions between the visualROI and medial/lateral visual networks in PD. Covariance analysis identified three clusters within retinalROI: (1) the thalamic nucleus, (2) the amygdala and lateral/occipital visual regions, and (3) frontal regions, including the anterior cingulate cortex and frontal attention networks. Hierarchical clustering suggested a two-phase progression: early amygdala damage (Braak 1–3) disrupting visual network connections, followed by retinal and frontal atrophy (Braak 4–5) exacerbating visual dysfunction. Interpretation: Our findings support a novel, amygdala-centric two-phase model of visual dysfunction in PD. Early amygdala degeneration disrupts visual pathways, while advanced-stage disconnection between the amygdala and frontal regions and retinal neurodegeneration contributes to further visual disability.Ítem Amygdala structure and function and its associations with social-emotional outcomes in a low-risk preterm sample(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024-03) Fernández de Gamarra Oca, Lexuri; Lucas Jiménez, Olaia; Ontañón Garcés , José María; Loureiro González, Begoña; Peña Lasa, Javier; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; García Guerrero, Acebo; Ojeda del Pozo, Natalia; Zubiaurre Elorza, LeireAmygdala atypical volume development and functional connectivity (FC) at small gestational ages (GA) have been found across childhood. This adult-oriented study assesses whether altered amygdala structure and function is present following low-risk preterm birth. T1-weighted and resting-state functional MRI images of 33 low-risk preterm (30–36 weeks’ GA) and 29 full-term (37–42 weeks’ GA) young adults of both sexes, aged between 20 and 32 years old, were analyzed using FreeSurfer (v6.0.0) and Coon Toolbox (v21.a). The social-emotional assessment included Happé’s Strange Stories Test, the Moral Judgment Test, Delay-Discounting Test, Adult Self Report, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. No differences were found in social-emotional outcomes or amygdala volumes between the groups. Low-risk preterm young adults showed increased FC between the left amygdala, right amygdala and medial frontal cortex (MedFC) (F = 9.89, p-FWE = 0.009) at cluster level compared to their full-term peers. However, significant results at connection level were not observed between left and right amygdala. Lastly, increased FC at cluster level between the right amygdala and MedFC, and left amygdala and MedFC, was related to better social-emotional outcomes only in low-risk preterm young adults (F = 6.60, p-FWE = 0.036) at cluster level. At connection level, in contrast, only right amygdala–MedFC increased FC was significantly associated with better social-emotional outcomes. This study reveals that low-risk prematurity does not have an effect on social-emotional outcomes or structural amygdala volumes during young adulthood. However, individuals who were considered to be at a lower risk of exhibiting neurodevelopmental alterations following preterm birth demonstrated increased FC between the left and right amygdala and MedFC.Ítem Analyzing structural and functional brain changes related to an integrative cognitive remediation program for schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial(Elsevier B.V., 2023-05) Sampedro, Agurne; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa ; Peña Lasa, Javier ; Cabrera Zubizarreta, Alberto; Sánchez Gómez, Pedro Manuel ; Gómez Gastiasoro, Ainara; Iriarte Yoller, Nagore ; Pavón, Cristóbal ; Tous Espelosín, Mikel ; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaCognitive remediation has been shown to improve cognition in schizophrenia, but little is known about the specific functional and structural brain changes related to the implementation of an integrative cognitive remediation program. This study analyzed the functional and structural brain changes identified after implementing an integrative cognitive remediation program, REHACOP, in schizophrenia. The program combined cognitive remediation, social cognitive training, and functional and social skills training. The sample included 59 patients that were assigned to either the REHACOP group or an active control group for 20 weeks. In addition to a clinical and neuropsychological assessment, T1-weighted, diffusion-weighted and functional magnetic resonance images were acquired during a resting-state and during a memory paradigm, both at baseline and follow-up. Voxel-based morphometry, tract-based spatial statistics, resting-state functional connectivity, and brain activation analyses during the memory paradigm were performed. Brain changes were assessed with a 2 × 2 repeated-measure analysis of covariance for group x time interaction. Intragroup paired t-tests were also carried out. Repeated-measure analyses revealed improvements in cognition and functional outcome, but no significant brain changes associated with the integrative cognitive remediation program. Intragroup analyses showed greater gray matter volume and cortical thickness in right temporal regions at post-treatment in the REHACOP group. The absence of significant brain-level results associated with cognitive remediation may be partly due to the small sample size, which limited the statistical power of the study. Therefore, further research is needed to clarify whether the temporal lobe may be a key area involved in cognitive improvements following cognitive remediation.Ítem Brain degeneration in synucleinopathies based on analysis of cognition and other nonmotor features: a multimodal imaging study(MDPI, 2023-02-15) Lucas Jiménez, Olaia; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Diez, Ibai; Peña Lasa, Javier ; Tijero Merino, Beatriz; Galdos Iztueta, Marta; Murueta-Goyena Larrañaga, Ane; Pino, Rocío del; Acera Gil, María Ángeles ; Gómez Esteban, Juan Carlos; Gabilondo Cuellar, Iñigo; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaBackground: We aimed to characterize subtypes of synucleinopathies using a clustering approach based on cognitive and other nonmotor data and to explore structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain differences between identified clusters. Methods: Sixty-two patients (n = 6 E46K-SNCA, n = 8 dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and n = 48 idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD)) and 37 normal controls underwent nonmotor evaluation with extensive cognitive assessment. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was performed on patients’ samples based on nonmotor variables. T1, diffusion-weighted, and resting-state functional MRI data were acquired. Whole-brain comparisons were performed. Results: HCA revealed two subtypes, the mild subtype (n = 29) and the severe subtype (n = 33). The mild subtype patients were slightly impaired in some nonmotor domains (fatigue, depression, olfaction, and orthostatic hypotension) with no detectable cognitive impairment; the severe subtype patients (PD patients, all DLB, and the symptomatic E46K-SNCA carriers) were severely impaired in motor and nonmotor domains with marked cognitive, visual and bradykinesia alterations. Multimodal MRI analyses suggested that the severe subtype exhibits widespread brain alterations in both structure and function, whereas the mild subtype shows relatively mild disruptions in occipital brain structure and function. Conclusions: These findings support the potential value of incorporating an extensive nonmotor evaluation to characterize specific clinical patterns and brain degeneration patterns of synucleinopathies.Ítem Brain white matter correlates of creativity in schizophrenia: a diffusion tensor imaging study(Frontiers Media S.A., 2020-06-23) Sampedro, Agurne; Peña Lasa, Javier; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Cabrera Zubizarreta, Alberto; Sánchez Gómez, Pedro Manuel; Gómez Gastiasoro, Ainara; Iriarte Yoller, Nagore; Pavón, Cristóbal; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaThe relationship between creativity and psychopathology has been a controversial research topic for decades. Specifically, it has been shown that people with schizophrenia have an impairment in creative performance. However, little is known about the brain correlates underlying this impairment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze whole brain white matter (WM) correlates of several creativity dimensions in people with schizophrenia. Fifty-five patients with schizophrenia underwent diffusion-weighted imaging on a 3T magnetic resonance imaging machine as well as a clinical and a creativity assessment, including verbal and figural creativity measures. Tract-based spatial statistic, implemented in FMRIB Software Library (FSL), was used to assess whole brain WM correlates with different creativity dimensions, controlling for sex, age, premorbid IQ, and medication. Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) in frontal, temporal, subcortical, brain stem, and interhemispheric regions correlated positively with figural originality. The most significant clusters included the right corticospinal tract (cerebral peduncle part) and the right body of the corpus callosum. Verbal creativity did not show any significant correlation. As a whole, these findings suggest that widespread WM integrity is involved in creative performance of patients with schizophrenia. Many of these areas have also been related to creativity in healthy people. In addition, some of these regions have shown to be particularly impaired in schizophrenia, suggesting that these WM alterations could be underlying the worse creative performance found in this pathology.Ítem Cognitive scores as a potential diagnostic tool in schizophrenia: the use of raw and discrepancy scores(Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2020-11-09) Gómez Gastiasoro, Ainara; Peña Lasa, Javier; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire; Pino, Rocío del; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaObjective: Cognitive scores could be a useful tool when discriminating between patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and non-psychiatric population. However, whether these scores can contribute to the accurate diagnosis of the disease is still unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the best approach as to the inclusion of cognitive impairment as a potential clinical tool in the diagnosis of SZ. Method: A total of 258 patients with SZ and 202 healthy controls (HC) were assessed by means of the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) and the Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A). In addition to raw scores, participants' discrepancy scores (DS) in these two cognitive measures were calculated using regression-based norms controlling for age, years of education and premorbid intelligence quotient. Receiver-operating characteristic analyses were performed for both scores in order to assess their diagnostic properties. Results: The areas under the curve (AUC) of the HVLT-R total and delayed recall, and TMT-A raw scores were statistically significant and ranged from 0.67 to 0.87. Although significant, AUC of verbal memory DS were lower than those of raw scores (AUC = 0.84; AUC = 0.80). AUC of TMT-A DS was not significant. Conclusions: Results suggest that cognitive scores are useful and accurate when discriminating and classifying patients with SZ and HC in the present sample. Raw scores were shown to be more accurate than DS in patients with SZ and to present good diagnostic properties especially regarding verbal memory measures. Obtained indices support the use of cognitive scores as diagnostic criterion in the diagnosis of SZ.Ítem Cognitive, creative, functional, and clinical symptom improvements in schizophrenia after an integrative cognitive remediation program: a randomized controlled trial(Nature Research, 2021-12) Sampedro, Agurne; Peña Lasa, Javier; Sánchez Gómez, Pedro Manuel; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Gómez Gastiasoro, Ainara; Iriarte Yoller, Nagore; Pavón, Cristóbal; Tous Espelosín, Mikel; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaThis study analyzed the effectiveness of an integrative cognitive remediation program (REHACOP) in improving neurocognition, social cognition, creativity, functional outcome, and clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. In addition, possible mediators predicting improvement in functional outcomes were explored. The program combined cognitive remediation with social cognitive training and social and functional skill training over 20 weeks. The sample included 94 patients, 47 in the REHACOP group and 47 in the active control group (occupational activities). Significant differences were found between the two groups in change scores of processing speed, working memory, verbal memory (VM), inhibition, theory of mind, emotion processing (EP), figural creative strengths, functional competence, disorganization, excitement, and primary negative symptoms. A mediational analysis revealed that changes in VM, inhibition, and EP partially explained the effect of cognitive remediation on functional competence improvement. This study provides initial evidence of the effect of integrative cognitive remediation on primary negative symptoms and creativity.Ítem Comparing transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial random noise stimulation over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left inferior frontal gyrus: effects on divergent and convergent thinking(Frontiers Media S.A., 2022-11-03) Peña Lasa, Javier ; Sampedro, Agurne; Balboa Bandeira, Yolanda ; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire; García Guerrero, Acebo ; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaThe essential role of creativity has been highlighted in several human knowledge areas. Regarding the neural underpinnings of creativity, there is evidence about the role of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) on divergent thinking (DT) and convergent thinking (CT). Transcranial stimulation studies suggest that the left DLPFC is associated with both DT and CT, whereas left IFG is more related to DT. However, none of the previous studies have targeted both hubs simultaneously and compared transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and random noise stimulation (tRNS). Additionally, given the relationship between cognitive flexibility and creativity, we included it in order to check if the improvement in creativity may be mediated by cognitive flexibility. In this double-blind, between-subjects study, 66 healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups (N = 22) that received a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), or sham for 20 min. The tDCS group received 1.5 mA with the anode over the left DLPFC and cathode over the left IFG. Locations in tRNS group were the same and they received 1.5 mA of high frequency tRNS (100–500 Hz). Divergent thinking was assessed before (baseline) and during stimulation with unusual uses (UU) and picture completion (PC) subtests from Torrance Creative thinking Test, whereas convergent thinking was evaluated with the remote association test (RAT). Stroop test was included to assess cognitive flexibility. ANCOVA results of performance under stimulation (controlling for baseline performance) showed that there were significant differences in PC (F = 3.35, p = 0.042, (Formula presented.) = 0.10) but not in UU (F = 0.61, p = 0.546) and RAT (F = 2.65, p = 0.079) scores. Post-hoc analyses showed that tRNS group had significantly higher scores compared to sham (p = 0.004) in PC. More specifically, tRNS showed higher performance in fluency (p = 0.012) and originality (p = 0.021) dimensions of PC compared to sham. Regarding cognitive flexibility, we did not find any significant effect of any of the stimulation groups (F = 0.34, p = 0.711). Therefore, no further mediation analyses were performed. Finally, the group that received tDCS reported more adverse effects than sham group (F = 3.46, p = 0.035). Altogether, these results suggest that tRNS may have some advantages over tDCS in DT.Ítem Contributions of sex, depression, and cognition on brain connectivity dynamics in Parkinson’s disease(Nature Research, 2021-12-16) Díez Cirarda, María ; Gabilondo Cuellar, Iñigo; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Gómez Esteban, Juan Carlos; Kim, Jinhee; Lucas Jiménez, Olaia; Pino, Rocío del; Peña Lasa, Javier ; Ojeda del Pozo, Natalia ; Mihaescu, Alexander; Valli, Mikaeel; Acera Gil, María Ángeles ; Cabrera Zubizarreta, Alberto ; Gómez Beldarrain, María Ángeles ; Strafella, Antonio P.Alterations in time-varying functional connectivity (FC) have been found in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. To date, very little is known about the influence of sex on brain FC in PD patients and how this could be related to disease severity. The first objective was to evaluate the influence of sex on dynamic FC characteristics in PD patients and healthy controls (HC), while the second aim was to investigate the temporal patterns of dynamic connectivity related to PD motor and non-motor symptoms. Ninety-nine PD patients and sixty-two HC underwent a neuropsychological and clinical assessment. Rs-fMRI and T1-weighted MRI were also acquired. Dynamic FC analyses were performed in the GIFT toolbox. Dynamic FC analyses identified two States: State I, characterized by within-network positive coupling; and State II that showed between-network connectivity, mostly involving somatomotor and visual networks. Sex differences were found in dynamic indexes in HC but these differences were not observed in PD. Hierarchical clustering analysis identified three phenotypically distinct PD subgroups: (1) Subgroup A was characterized by mild motor symptoms; (2) Subgroup B was characterized by depressive and motor symptoms; (3) Subgroup C was characterized by cognitive and motor symptoms. Results revealed that changes in the temporal properties of connectivity were related to the motor/non-motor outcomes of PD severity. Findings suggest that while in HC sex differences may play a certain role in dynamic connectivity patterns, in PD patients, these effects may be overcome by the neurodegenerative process. Changes in the temporal properties of connectivity in PD were mainly related to the clinical markers of PD severity.Ítem The effect of changing the balance between right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on different creativity tasks: a transcranial random noise stimulation study(Creative Education Foudation, 2021-12) Peña Lasa, Javier; Sampedro, Agurne; Gómez-Gastiasoro, Ainara; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire; Aguiar, Covadonga; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaTranscranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) increases performance in some perceptual tasks. However, little is known about its effect on creativity. Although dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has been postulated as an important cortical area related to creativity, the relative role of left and right DLPFC is still unclear. We aimed to compare the effect of anodal left/cathodal right (L + R−) and cathodal left/anodal right (L − R+) tRNS over the DLPFC. Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to L + R−, L−R+ or sham group. Current was set at 2 mA (100–500 Hz) with a 1 mA direct current offset (20 min). Creativity was assessed before and during tRNS with the Remotes Associates Test (RAT), Unusual Uses (UU) and Picture Completion (PC) from Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, nine-dot problem and matchstick arithmetic problems. Bootstrapped analysis of covariance (under-stimulation scores controlling for baseline) showed that L + R− and L − R+ groups had higher scores than sham in UU whereas only L + R− improved in RAT compared to sham. The L − R+ group performed significantly better than L + R− and sham groups in PC, nine-dot problem and matchstick arithmetic problems. L + R− DLPFC may help verbal creative thinking whereas the L − R + seems to produce a “releasing effect” through insight problem solving and originality.Ítem The effect of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) over bilateral posterior parietal cortex on divergent and convergent thinking(Nature Research, 2020-09-23) Peña Lasa, Javier; Sampedro, Agurne; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire; Aizpurua Gordillo, Aralar; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaCreativity pervades many areas of everyday life and is considered highly relevant in several human living domains. Previous literature suggests that the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is related to creativity. However, none of previous studies have compared the effect of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) over bilateral PPC on both verbal and visual divergent thinking (DT) and Remote Associates Test (RAT) in the same experimental design. Forty healthy participants were randomly assigned to tRNS (100–500 Hz) over bilateral PPC or sham group, for 15 min and current was set at 1.5 mA. Participants’ creativity skills were assessed before and after brain stimulation with the Unusual Uses and the Picture Completion subtests from the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking and the RAT. ANCOVA (baseline scores as covariate) results indicated that tRNS group had significantly higher scores at post-test in RAT and visual originality compared to sham group. Unusual Uses, on the other hand, was not significant. Improvement in RAT suggests the involvement of PPC during via insight solution which may reflect internally directed attention that helps the recombination of remotely associated information. The improvement in visual originality dimension from DT may be due to a higher internally directed attention while reducing externally oriented attention.Ítem Effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation in parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis(MDPI AG, 2021-05-18) Sanchez Luengos, Itsasne; Balboa Bandeira, Yolanda ; Lucas Jiménez, Olaia; Ojeda del Pozo, Natalia ; Peña Lasa, Javier ; Ibarretxe Bilbao, NaroaCognitive deficits influence the quality of life of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. In order to reduce the impact of cognitive impairment in PD, cognitive rehabilitation programs have been developed. This study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation in non-demented PD patients. Twelve articles were selected according to PRISMA guidelines. The systematic review showed that attention, working memory, verbal memory, executive functions and processing speed were the most frequently improved domains. Meta-analysis results showed moderate effects on global cognitive status (g = 0.55) and working memory (g = 0.50); small significant effects on verbal memory (g = 0.41), overall cognitive functions (g = 0.39) and executive functions (g = 0.30); small non-significant effects on attention (g = 0.36), visual memory (g = 0.29), verbal fluency (g = 0.27) and processing speed (g = 0.24); and no effect on visuospatial and visuoconstructive abilities (g = 0.17). Depressive symptoms showed small effect (g = 0.24) and quality of life showed no effect (g = -0.07). A meta-regression was performed to examine moderating variables of overall cognitive function effects, although moderators did not explain the heterogeneity of the improvement after cognitive rehabilitation. The findings suggest that cognitive rehabilitation may be beneficial in improving cognition in non-demented PD patients, although further studies are needed to obtain more robust effects.Ítem Effects of cognitive rehabilitation on cognition, apathy, quality of life, and subjective complaints in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial(Elsevier B.V., 2020-05) Montoya Murillo, Genoveva; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Peña Lasa, Javier; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaObjective: To determine the efficacy of a new-generation integrative cognitive rehabilitation (CR) program (Rehacop) on cognition, clinical symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and subjective complaints in the elderly. Design: A randomized controlled trial study with a cohort of elderly people over 55 years of age. Setting: Communities of the Basque Country (Spain). Participants: A total of 124 elderly participants (aged 79.00 ± 8.85 years) were randomized in the Rehacop group (RG) (n = 62) and control group (CG) (n = 62). Intervention: The RG attended 39 CR sessions for 3 months (3 sessions/week, 60-minute/session) with the Rehacop program. The CG performed occupational tasks with the same frequency and duration as the RG. Methods: Participants underwent a neuropsychological assessment at baseline and post-treatment which included cognitive, clinical, and functional tests. In addition, participants and their formal caregivers completed a subjective complaints questionnaire. The data were analyzed according to the intention to treat analysis and with participants who completed the study. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03435029). Results: The RG showed significant improvements compared to the CG in neurocognition (ANCOVA timexgroup interaction effect size (ηp 2)=0.05, 90% confidence interval (CI) = 0.00–0.12). The RG also reduced apathy (ηp 2=0.06, 90% CI = 0.01–0.15) and participants’ subjective complaints (ηp 2=0.11, 90% CI = 0.03–0.21) and improved QoL (ηp 2=0.08, 90% CI = 0.01–0.17). Conclusions: Participants who attended the intervention improved their cognition, QoL, and reduced apathy and subjective complaints after treatment. These findings provide a new understanding of the benefits of CR in the elderly.Ítem Effects of transcranial electrical stimulation techniques on foreign vocabulary learning(Elsevier B.V., 2023-02-13) Balboa Bandeira, Yolanda ; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire ; García Guerrero, Acebo; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa ; Ojeda del Pozo, Natalia ; Peña Lasa, JavierAlthough the use of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) techniques on healthy population has been linked to facilitating language learning, studies on their effects on foreign language learning processes are scarce and results remain unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze whether tES enhances foreign language learning processes. Sixty-four healthy native Spanish-speaking participants were randomly assigned to four groups (transcranial direct current, transcranial random noise, tDCS-tRNS stimulation, or sham). They completed two intervention sessions with a two-week gap in between. During the first session the participants received stimulation (1.5 mA) while learning new English words and then performed recall and recognition tasks. Learning was assessed at follow-up, two weeks later. No differences in learning between groups were observed in the first session (F(1,61)= .86; p = .36). At follow-up, significantly higher learning accuracy was observed after tRNS compared to sham (p = .037). These results suggest that tRNS could be helpful in improving the processes involved in foreign language vocabulary learning.Ítem Effects of transcranial electrical stimulation techniques on second and foreign language learning enhancement in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis(Elsevier Ltd, 2021-09-17) Balboa Bandeira, Yolanda; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Ojeda del Pozo, Natalia; Peña Lasa, JavierBackground: Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) techniques have been used to enhance different cognitive domains such as language in healthy adults. While several reviews and meta-analysis have been conducted on the effects of tES on different language skills (picture naming, verbal fluency, word reading), there has been little research conducted to date on the effects of tES on the processes involved in foreign language learning. Objective: A meta-analysis was performed to quantify the effects of tES on foreign language learning processes (non-words, artificial grammar, and foreign languages), focusing on accuracy, response times and 1-week follow-up effects, if reported by the studies. Results: Eleven studies that had sham condition were reviewed. Nine of them were analyzed, including five using within-participant design, and four that employed between-participant design. The final analysis encompassed nine studies with 279 healthy participants. The analysis showed moderate enhancing effects of tES on overall language learning (g = 0.50, 95 % CI [0.29, 0.71], p = .0001). However, results were not significant on follow up data (g = 0.54, 95 % CI [-0.12, 1.20], p = .07), and on response times (g = 0.50, 95 % CI [-0.1, 1.18], p = .10). The effects were significantly moderated by years of education. Conclusions: The results suggest that tES seems to enhance the mechanisms involved in foreign language learning; however, more research is needed to understand the impact scope of these techniques on language learning processes.Ítem Enhancement of divergent creative thinking after transcranial near-infrared photobiomodulation over the default mode network(Routledge, 2024) Peña Lasa, Javier; Muthalib, Makii; Beaty, Roger E.; Sampedro, Agurne; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire; García Guerrero, Acebo; Cortazar, Ibon; Niso, Mikel; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaTranscranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) has been used for cognitive enhancement in healthy people. However, its effect on creativity has not been investigated. The default mode network (DMN) is associated with divergent thinking (DT; but not convergent thinking, CT), and also with anxiety, which in turn has been negatively related to creativity. We aimed to use tPBM over the DMN to assess the effect on DT compared to sham. Additionally, we assessed the possible mediating effect of anxiety between tPBM and DT. In this single-blind, between-subjects study, 58 healthy participants were randomly assigned to tPBM or sham group. tPBM was applied using near-infrared light (810 nm, 40 Hz; 50% duty cycle), through light-emitting diode devices combining transcranial plus intranasal PBM over the cortical nodes of the DMN for 20 min (240 J/cm2 in total). DT and CT were assessed before (baseline) and after tPBM with the Unusual Uses (UU), Picture Completion (PC) and Remote Associates test (RAT). ANCOVA (post-stimulation controlling for baseline) results showed that tPBM group had significantly higher scores compared to sham in total UU, PC, and total DT. tPBM may be effective for DT enhancement. The lack of effect on CT reveals a specific link between DMN and DT.Ítem Enhancement of phonemic verbal fluency in multilingual young adults by transcranial random noise stimulation(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-06) Balboa Bandeira, Yolanda; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire; García Guerrero, Acebo; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Ojeda del Pozo, Natalia; Peña Lasa, JavierSeveral studies have analyzed the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on verbal fluency tasks in non-clinical populations. Nevertheless, the reported effects on verbal fluency are inconsistent. In addition, the effect of other techniques such as transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) on verbal fluency enhancement has yet to be studied in healthy multilingual populations. This study aims to explore the effects of tRNS on verbal fluency in healthy multilingual individuals. Fifty healthy multilingual (Spanish, English and Basque) adults were randomly assigned to a tRNS or sham group. Electrodes were placed on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left inferior frontal gyrus. All participants performed phonemic and semantic verbal fluency tasks before, during (online assessment) and immediately after (offline assessment) stimulation in three different languages. The results showed significantly better performance by participants who received tRNS in the phonemic verbal fluency tasks in Spanish (in the online and offline assessment) and English (in the offline assessment). No differences between conditions were found in Basque nor semantic verbal fluency. These findings suggests that tRNS on the left prefrontal cortex could help improve phonemic, yet not semantic, fluency in healthy multilingual adultsÍtem Enhancing creativity with combined transcranial direct current and random noise stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and inferior frontal gyrus(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2023-03) Peña Lasa, Javier; Muthalib, Makii; Sampedro, Agurne; Cardoso-Botelho, Mafalda; Zabala Gómez, Oihana; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; García Guerrero, Acebo; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaCreativity is a fundamental human accomplishment from scientific advances to composing music. The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) are important metacontrol hubs in flexibility and persistence brain states, respectively. Those hubs are related to divergent thinking, insight problem-solving, and convergent thinking. In this double-blind, between-subjects study, 81 healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 27) that received a combined transcranial direct current stimulation–transcranial random noise stimulation (tDCS-tRNS) protocol with the anode over the left DLPFC and cathode over the left IFG (+DLPFC−IFG), the opposite montage (−DLPFC+IFG), and a sham group (+DLPFC−IFG). Both active tDCS-tRNS groups received 20 min of 1 mA tDCS with 1 mA (100–500 Hz) tRNS. Creativity was assessed before (baseline) and during stimulation with the Unusual Uses, Picture Completion (PC), Remote Association test (RAT), Matchstick Arithmetic (MA), and Nine-dot (ND) problems. Only the +DLPFC−IFG group had significantly higher scores compared with sham in the RAT (p =.009), PC fluency (p =.018), PC originality (p =.007), ND (p =.007), and MA (p =.032). Overall, −DLPFC+IFG had greater scores in all creativity tests compared with sham. Implications from the metacontrol theory are discussed.Ítem Equivalent short forms of the Situational Feature Recognition Test 2: Psychometric properties and analysis of interform equivalence and test–retest reliability(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2019-12-01) Gómez Gastiasoro, Ainara; Peña Lasa, Javier ; Zubiaurre Elorza, Leire; Ibarretxe Bilbao, Naroa; Ojeda del Pozo, NataliaObjective: To obtain two equivalent short forms of the “Situational Feature Recognition Test, Version 2,” a social perception test, and their psychometric properties. Methods: Patients with schizophrenia (n = 101) were assessed at two different times. Statistical analyses were performed as follows: (1) Cronbach's alpha was used to assess reliability; (2) Spearman correlations, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and a 2 (form) × 2 (time) repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance were used to analyse interform equivalence; (3) Sensitivity to change was studied by a 2 (group) × 2 (time) repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance; (4) Spearman correlations were employed to assess test–retest reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and relationship with functionality and symptoms. Results: The short forms showed good internal consistency at both times. Significant and moderate correlation between forms was found along with no statistically significant form x time interaction. Hits and false positives of both forms were moderately correlated at both times. Group x time interaction was significant especially for hits when assessing sensitivity to change. Both forms were significantly correlated with other social cognition domains and with functionality. Conclusions: Results of this study support the use of short forms of the Situational Feature Recognition Test, Version 2 especially in clinical trials and longitudinal studies among patients with schizophrenia.