J08 Different developmental trajectories in cognitive functions in pre-manifest HD—evidence from longitudinal neurophysiological data. (29th August 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beste, C; Stock, A-K; Ness, V; Wascher, E; Dinse, HR; Saft, C
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 83(2012)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A38
• Page End: A38
• Publication Date: 2012-08-29
• Subjects: Excitotoxicity -- LTP -- perceptual learning -- attention; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2012-303524.118
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Background: There is a multitude of neurobiological processes leading to neurodegenerative effects in HD. One of these factors is excitotoxicity mediated via increased activation of NMDA receptors. However, NMDA receptors also play a crucial role in plasticity and learning. This dual role of effects leads to the counterintutive hypothesis that effects of LTP-like learning processes increase throughout HD pathogenesis. Methods/techniques: We tested this assumption in a perceptual learning task, where pre-HD subjects and controls have to report changes in the luminance of a stimulus in attentionally demanding task. We recorded EEG data to examine the processes on a neurophysiological level. Results/Outcome: The results show that the ability of perceptual learning to augment attentional processes is stronger in pre-HDs, compared to healthy controls. Neurophysiological data suggests that this increase is to a differential modulation of occipital brain areas. The degree of changes induced by perceptual learning depends on the strength of genetic disease load. Longitudinal data suggests that attentional processes undergo a decline over a 16-month period. Interestingly the ability to increase attentional control via LTP-like perceptual learning was not changed in its efficacy. Conclusions: The results suggest that while there is decline in cognitive processes, some functional domains maintain an even superior efficacy over a longer period in pre-manifest HD development.