@article{MenzeMuellerZaehleetal.2023,
  author    = {Menze, Inga and M{\"u}ller, Notger Germar and Z{\"a}hle, Tino and Schmicker, Marlen},
  title     = {Individual response to transcranial direct current stimulation as a function of working memory capacity and electrode montage},
  series = {Frontiers in human neuroscience},
  volume    = {17},
  journal   = {Frontiers in human neuroscience},
  publisher = {Frontiers Media},
  address   = {Lausanne},
  issn      = {1662-5161},
  doi       = {10.3389/fnhum.2023.1134632},
  pages     = {14},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Introduction Attempts to improve cognitive abilities via transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have led to ambiguous results, likely due to the method's susceptibility to methodological and inter-individual factors. Conventional tDCS, i.e., using an active electrode over brain areas associated with the targeted cognitive function and a supposedly passive reference, neglects stimulation effects on entire neural networks. Methods We investigated the advantage of frontoparietal network stimulation (right prefrontal anode, left posterior parietal cathode) against conventional and sham tDCS in modulating working memory (WM) capacity dependent transfer effects of a single-session distractor inhibition (DIIN) training. Since previous results did not clarify whether electrode montage drives this individual transfer, we here compared conventional to frontoparietal and sham tDCS and reanalyzed data of 124 young, healthy participants in a more robust way using linear mixed effect modeling. Results The interaction of electrode montage and WM capacity resulted in systematic differences in transfer effects. While higher performance gains were observed with increasing WM capacity in the frontoparietal stimulation group, low WM capacity individuals benefited more in the sham condition. The conventional stimulation group showed subtle performance gains independent of WM capacity. Discussion Our results confirm our previous findings of WM capacity dependent transfer effects on WM by a single-session DIIN training combined with tDCS and additionally highlight the pivotal role of the specific electrode montage. WM capacity dependent differences in frontoparietal network recruitment, especially regarding the parietal involvement, are assumed to underlie this observation.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MenzeMuellerMuelleretal.2022,
  author    = {Menze, Inga and M{\"u}ller, Patrick and M{\"u}ller, Notger Germar and Schmicker, Marlen},
  title     = {Age-related cognitive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and associated mental health changes in Germans},
  series = {Scientific reports},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Scientific reports},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Nature portfolio},
  address   = {Berlin},
  issn      = {2045-2322},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-022-11283-9},
  pages     = {16},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Restrictive means to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have not only imposed broad challenges on mental health but might also affect cognitive health. Here we asked how restriction-related changes influence cognitive performance and how age, perceived loneliness, depressiveness and affectedness by restrictions contribute to these effects. 51 Germans completed three assessments of an online based study during the first lockdown in Germany (April 2020), a month later, and during the beginning of the second lockdown (November 2020). Participants completed nine online cognitive tasks of the MyBrainTraining and online questionnaires about their perceived strain and impact on lifestyle factors by the situation (affectedness), perceived loneliness, depressiveness as well as subjective cognitive performance. The results suggested a possible negative impact of depressiveness and affectedness on objective cognitive performance within the course of the lockdown. The younger the participants, the more pronounced these effects were. Loneliness and depressiveness moreover contributed to a worse evaluation of subjective cognition. In addition, especially younger individuals reported increased distress. As important educational and social input has partly been scarce during this pandemic and mental health problems have increased, future research should also assess cognitive long-term consequences.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchmickerFruehlingMenzeetal.2023,
  author    = {Schmicker, Marlen and Fr{\"u}hling, Insa and Menze, Inga and Glanz, Wenzel and M{\"u}ller, Patrick and Noesselt, Toemme and M{\"u}ller, Notger Germar},
  title     = {The potential role of gustatory function as an early diagnostic marker for the risk of alzheimer's disease in subjective cognitive decline},
  series = {Journal of Alzheimer's disease reports : JADR},
  volume    = {7},
  journal   = {Journal of Alzheimer's disease reports : JADR},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {IOS Press},
  address   = {Clifton, VA},
  issn      = {2542-4823},
  doi       = {10.3233/ADR220092},
  pages     = {249 -- 262},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Background: Patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) report memory deterioration and are at an increased risk of converting to Alzheimer's disease (AD) although psychophysical testing does not reveal any cognitive deficit. Objective: Here, gustatory function is investigated as a potential predictor for an increased risk of progressive cognitive decline indicating higher AD risk in SCD. Methods: Measures of smell and taste perception as well as neuropsychological data were assessed in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD): Subgroups with an increased likelihood of the progression to preclinical AD (SCD+) and those with a lower likelihood (SCD-) were compared to healthy controls (HC), patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD patients. The Sniffin' Sticks test contained 12 items with different qualities and taste was measured with 32 taste stripes (sweet, salty, bitter, sour) of different concentration. Results: Only taste was able to distinguish between HC/SCD- and SCD+ patients. Conclusion: This study provides a first hint of taste as a more sensitive marker than smell for detecting preclinical AD in SCD. Longitudinal observation of cognition and pathology are necessary to further evaluate taste perception as a predictor of pathological objective decline in cognition.},
  language  = {en}
}