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Neural correlates of cognitive decline in ALS: An fNIRS study of the prefrontal cortex
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Neural correlates of cognitive decline in ALS: An fNIRS study of the prefrontal cortex

Mili S. Kuruvilla, Jordan R. Green, Hasan Ayaz and Daniel L. Murman
Cognitive neuroscience, Vol.4(2), pp.115-121
01/01/2013
DOI: 10.1080/17588928.2013.797889
PMCID: PMC4727749
PMID: 24073736
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/4727749View
Open Access

Abstract

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a clinically feasible functional neuroimaging modality for detecting early cortical changes due to neurodegenerative diseases that affect cognition. The objective of this preliminary investigation was to test for reduced prefrontal activity in persons with cognitive impairments due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Participants were required to complete two N-back working memory tasks of increasing complexity during fNIRS recordings. Five participants with ALS and age- and gender-matched healthy participants comprised the experimental and control groups, respectively. Significant reductions in prefrontal oxygenation levels were observed for the left and right hemispheres in the ALS group compared to the control group. Reduced prefrontal activation despite intact behavioral performance for a working memory task may suggest early neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and/or compensatory mechanisms in affected individuals. The fNIRS-derived oxygenation measure shows promise as a sensitive neural marker to identify early neuropsychological impairments due to ALS.
Life Sciences & Biomedicine Neurosciences Neurosciences & Neurology Science & Technology

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