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      Neuroenhancement of High-Level Cognition: Evidence for Homeostatic Constraints of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation

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          Abstract

          Neuroenhancement aims to improve cognitive performance in typically and atypically functioning populations. However, it is currently debated whether it is also effective in exceptionally high-functioning individuals. Present theories suggest that homeostatic set points for learning and cortical plasticity limit the beneficial effects of neuroenhancement. To examine this possibility, we used transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) to non-invasively stimulate bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) of the world champion in mental calculation, G.M. TRNS did not change G.M.’s calculation performance compared to sham stimulation on an exceptionally complex arithmetic task. However, a sample of mathematicians who were not calculation prodigies ( N = 6) showed reduced accuracy on a complex multiplication task in response to tRNS, relative to sham. Our findings suggest that there may be an upper limit for cognitive enhancement and that further attempts to enhance performance using tRNS (at least with the current parameters) may impair optimal functioning. The discussion of potential negative effects of brain stimulation for cognitive enhancement is critical, as it may lead to unintended impairments in different subgroups of the population.

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          Most cited references31

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          Stochastic resonance and sensory information processing: a tutorial and review of application.

          To review the stochastic resonance phenomena observed in sensory systems and to describe how a random process ('noise') added to a subthreshold stimulus can enhance sensory information processing and perception. Nonlinear systems need a threshold, subthreshold information bearing stimulus and 'noise' for stochastic resonance phenomena to occur. These three ingredients are ubiquitous in nature and man-made systems, which accounts for the observation of stochastic resonance in fields and conditions ranging from physics and engineering to biology and medicine. The stochastic resonance paradigm is compatible with single-neuron models or synaptic and channels properties and applies to neuronal assemblies activated by sensory inputs and perceptual processes as well. Here we review a few of the landmark experiments (including psychophysics, electrophysiology, fMRI, human vision, hearing and tactile functions, animal behavior, single/multiunit activity recordings). Models and experiments show a peculiar consistency with known neuronal and brain physiology. A number of naturally occurring 'noise' sources in the brain (e.g. synaptic transmission, channel gating, ion concentrations, membrane conductance) possibly accounting for stochastic resonance phenomena are also reviewed. Evidence is given suggesting a possible role of stochastic resonance in brain function, including detection of weak signals, synchronization and coherence among neuronal assemblies, phase resetting, 'carrier' signals, animal avoidance and feeding behaviors. Stochastic resonance is a ubiquitous and conspicuous phenomenon compatible with neural models and theories of brain function. The available evidence suggests cautious interpretation, but justifies research and should encourage neuroscientists and clinical neurophysiologists to explore stochastic resonance in biology and medical science.
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            Noninvasive brain stimulation: from physiology to network dynamics and back.

            Noninvasive brain stimulation techniques have been widely used for studying the physiology of the CNS, identifying the functional role of specific brain structures and, more recently, exploring large-scale network dynamics. Here we review key findings that contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the physiological and behavioral effects of these techniques. We highlight recent innovations using noninvasive stimulation to investigate global brain network dynamics and organization. New combinations of these techniques, in conjunction with neuroimaging, will further advance the utility of their application.
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              Random noise stimulation improves neuroplasticity in perceptual learning.

              Perceptual learning is considered a manifestation of neural plasticity in the human brain. We investigated brain plasticity mechanisms in a learning task using noninvasive transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). We hypothesized that different types of tES would have varying actions on the nervous system, which would result in different efficacies of neural plasticity modulation. Thus, the principal goal of the present study was to verify the possibility of inducing differential plasticity effects using two tES approaches [i.e., direct current stimulation (tDCS) and random noise stimulation (tRNS)] during the execution of a visual perceptual learning task.
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                Author and article information

                Contributors
                +1 (858) 775-0166 , bkrause@ucla.edu
                Journal
                J Cogn Enhanc
                J Cogn Enhanc
                Journal of Cognitive Enhancement
                Springer International Publishing (Cham )
                2509-3290
                2509-3304
                21 February 2019
                21 February 2019
                2019
                : 3
                : 4
                : 388-395
                Affiliations
                [1 ]GRID grid.4991.5, ISNI 0000 0004 1936 8948, Department of Experimental Psychology, , University of Oxford, ; Oxford, UK
                [2 ]GRID grid.19006.3e, ISNI 0000 0000 9632 6718, Late-Life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Program, , Semel Insitute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, ; 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
                [3 ]GRID grid.5590.9, ISNI 0000000122931605, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, , Radboud University, ; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
                Author information
                http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5495-6348
                Article
                126
                10.1007/s41465-019-00126-7
                7055575
                32190812
                2df21f49-7671-429c-a400-0c618f9429cf
                © The Author(s) 2019

                OpenAccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

                History
                : 27 November 2018
                : 1 February 2019
                Funding
                Funded by: European Research Council
                Award ID: 338065
                Award Recipient :
                Funded by: FundRef http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100004440, Wellcome Trust;
                Award ID: WT088378
                Award Recipient :
                Funded by: FundRef http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004350, Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes;
                Funded by: FundRef http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000269, Economic and Social Research Council;
                Award ID: 1109458
                Award Recipient :
                Funded by: FundRef http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001655, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst;
                Categories
                Original Research
                Custom metadata
                © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

                brain stimulation,cognition,calculation,prodigy
                brain stimulation, cognition, calculation, prodigy

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