Researcher finds ‘gold standard’ test for MS wanting

Dr Meaghan Clough researches cognitive speed in early MS

by Anne Crawford

For seven years, researcher Dr Meaghan Clough frequently observed Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients performing well on the standard test used to measure cognitive function then talk to her about cognitive problems they were facing. She wondered about the discrepancy.

“On further investigation I would realise that actually they did have a cognitive deficit,” Dr Clough said. 

Working memory (WM) and attention deficits are a common – and disturbing – symptom of MS.

A new treatment to enhance working memory

By Dr Jodie Abramovitch

Non-invasive stimulation of the brain by a weak electrical current can have therapeutic effects in a range of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression. A newer form of this non-invasive techniques is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) which has been shown to improve cognitive processes such as working memory (includes comprehension, reasoning and learning).

A/Prof Kate Hoy

Recently, research conducted by Associate Professor Kate Hoy and colleagues from the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) has focused on a closely related form of brain stimulation called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). This method of stimulation is thought to induce changes in the brain which more closely mimics natural brain activities.

In this study, healthy individuals were given tACS, tDCS or a sham brain stimulation across separate testing sessions, at least one week apart. Working memory was tested before and after treatment via a series of computerised tasks. Results revealed that working memory was improved in participants following tACS when undertaking more difficult memory tasks. This was not seen in participants treated with tDCS or the sham treatment. 

These results provide a platform for ongoing investigations into tACS and how it may be used to improve cognition.

Reference: Hoy KE, Bailey N, Arnold S, Windsor K, John J, Daskalakis ZJ, Fitzgerald PB. The effect of γ-tACS on working memory performance in healthy controls. Brain Cogn. 2015 Dec; 101:51-6

doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2015.11.002