Exploring the longitudinal associations of functional network connectivity and psychiatric symptom changes in youth.

Background: Functional connectivity has been associated with psychiatric problems, both in children and adults, but inconsistencies are present across studies. Prior research has mostly focused on small clinical samples with cross-sectional designs.

Methods: We adopted a longitudinal design with repeated assessments to investigate associations between functional network connectivity (FNC) and psychiatric problems in youth (9- to 17-year-olds, two time points) from the general population.

Network topology changes in chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Background: In mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), diffuse axonal injury results in disruption of functional networks in the brain and is thought to be a major contributor to cognitive dysfunction even years after trauma.

Objective: Few studies have assessed longitudinal changes in network topology in chronic mTBI. We utilized a graph theoretical approach to investigate alterations in global network topology based on resting-state functional connectivity in veterans with chronic mTBI.

A randomized controlled trial of transcranial direct-current stimulation and cognitive training in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Background: This study was a randomized double-blind sham-controlled trial examining the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) augmented cognitive training (CT) in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Prenatal alcohol exposure has profound detrimental effects on brain development and individuals with FASD commonly present with deficits in executive functions including attention and working memory. The most commonly studied treatment for executive deficits is CT, which involves repeated drilling of exercises targeting the impaired functions.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) elicits stimulus-specific enhancement of cortical plasticity.

Background: Deficits in plasticity underlie many severe psychiatric disorders. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising method for modulating plasticity. However, given its non-focal nature, there are open questions as to how targeting and outcome specificity can best be achieved.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Schizophrenia: A Quantitative Review of Cognitive Outcomes.

Cognitive deficits are a core and disabling feature of psychotic disorders, specifically schizophrenia. Current treatments for impaired cognition in schizophrenia remain insufficient. Recent research suggests transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex can potentiate cognitive improvements in healthy individuals and those with psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia.