On The Possibilities of Neuro-electrostimulation for Increasing

Learning Parameters

Vladimir Kublanov and Anna Petrenko

Ural Federal University, Mira 19, 620002, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation

Keywords: Neuroscience of Learning, Neuro-electrostimulation, Neuroplasticity, Learning Ability, Attention, Working

Memory.

Abstract: The paper describes the results of using the neuro-electrostimulation device for improving the attention and

working memory characteristics, which are one of the main parameters of cognition in the learning process.

It was shown that the quality of the test for assessment of working memory and attention in the

experimental group with the use of neuro-electrostimulation was higher than in the control group. Also it

was found that the application of neuro-electrostimulation could be used as a corrective technique for

subjects with low initial values of test parameters, which allows increasing the test results for assessing

working memory and attention.

1 INTRODUCTION

In many ways teaching and learning affect many

behavioural and social factors, including human

potential improvement, cognitive ability, motivation,

social interaction, communication, and self-

evaluation. Perfect education helps to develop a

person's cogitation and communicate: in a

democratic society these social skills are necessary

(Whybrow, 2015).

Learning is a complex cognitive activity that is

carried out with the interaction of various brain

structures. Timeliness of education and the

usefulness of functional systems are the

psychophysiological basis of higher mental

functions, mental forms of activity and the success

of learning (Sirotyuk, 2011).

According to one of the key principles of

neurobiology, our brains are plastic and are

constantly changing as a result of training. In the

process of learning, a person's cognitive reserve and

adaptive reactions to stress, traumatic events and

illnesses are formed. Thus, the problems that arise in

training reflect the inefficient use of resources that

the brain possesses (Royal Society, 2011).

Learning in a broad sense is understood as a set

of individual opportunities for mastering educational

information, including memorizing of educational

material, performing orientation actions in the task,

solving it, and self-monitoring.

Learning, first of all, is connected with the

cognitive capabilities of man: the peculiarities of

sensory and perceptual processes, memory,

attention, thinking and speech (Karpenko, 2008).

At the moment it is not possible to predict or

evaluate the learning ability of a particular

individual.

In the process of cognition, the brain is directed

to the organization of obtained information. This

process involves acquiring information (perception),

selecting (attention), representing (understanding)

and retaining (memory) information, and using it to

guide behaviour (reasoning and coordination of

motor outputs). Interventions to improve cognitive

function may be directed at any one of these core

faculties (Bostrom and Sandberg, 2009).

Improvements in the diagnosis of learning

through technical progress and various methods of

neuroimaging using cognitive tests are expected in

the next decade (Royal Society, 2011). One of the

steps in solving of this problem is to study the

learning process and ways to increase the potential

of students in order to increase the effectiveness of

the learning process (Tolmie, 2013).

There are various ways in which the person's

cognitive abilities can be increased. One of these

methods is the use of drugs that improve the neuro-

metabolic processes. However, their use is limited

Kublanov V. and Petrenko A.

On The Possibilities of Neuro-electrostimulation for Increasing Learning Parameters.

DOI: 10.5220/0006592503380344

due to the development of serious side effects and

complications.

To solve this problem, one can consider neuro-

electrostimulation of the peripheral nervous system.

Neurostimulation methods allow to use an

endogenous neural circuit for improving the quality

of learning by accelerating the tuning of neural

networks responsible for cognitive functions

(DARPA, 2016).

The fundamental training mechanism consists in

the formation of complex, distributed neural

networks that unite functionally different parts of the

brain (Karpenko, 2008).

The possibilities of using the device

‘SYMPATHOCOR-01’ for improving the attention

and working memory characteristics, which are one

of the main parameters of cognition in the learning

process, are considered in the present work.

2 MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was approved by the local ethics

committee at the Ural State Medical University in

accordance with the protocol number 8 on October

16, 2015. Practically healthy subjects participated in

the studies.

2.1 Method for the Estimation of

Cognitive Capabilities

Evaluation of cognitive capabilities (memory and

attention functions) was carried out using the dual 2-

back technique, which was used as a simulation of

the learning process and stress testing for subjects.

The dual 2-back method is a modern and highly

effective way of training memory and attention. It is

also a task of continuous performance (Pelegrina et

al, 2015). The task requires on-line monitoring,

updating, and manipulation of remembered

information and is therefore assumed to place great

demands on a number of key processes within

working memory.

As the learning process involves visual and

auditory channels of information perception, the

fundamental structural basis for an effective learning

process is to achieve a harmonious combination of

auditory and visual perception channels.

Thus, visual and auditory sequences were chosen

as loading stimuli. During the performance of this

test, subjects must learn to activate their attention

and combine the two channels of perception.

The subject works with a sequence of visual and

auditory stimuli presented one in each time interval.

The subject must give an answer if the current

stimulus coincides with the element represented by 2

intervals back.

The quality of the test was assessed according to

the following parameters: score of position stimuli,

score of audio stimuli, total score, average response

time.

The evaluation of the test accuracy for each

sequence of stimuli is determined by the percentage

of correct responses to the total number of responses

of the subject. The total score is calculated by the

ratio of the sum of the correct responses for the

position and audio stimuli to the total number of

responses during the test run.

2.2 Neuro-electrostimulation Method

The ‘SYMPATHOCOR-01’ device, which generates

spatially distributed field of current pulses, is

selected as the neuro-electrostimulation method

(Kublanov, 2008). The device provides multi-

channel percutaneous non-invasive impact on the

pathways of nerve formations and neck ganglia of

the sympathetic nervous system by the method of

dynamic correction of the activity of the sympathetic

nervous system (DCASNS) (Danilov et al, 2015).

The ‘SYMPATHOCOR-01’ device is permitted for

use in medical institutions of the Russian Federation

and has a state certificate of the Federal Service on

Surveillance in Healthcare and Social Development

№ FSR 2007/00757 от 27.09.2007. Application of

the device does not cause side effects (Kublanov et

al, 2010).

The general view of the ‘SYMPATHOCOR-01’

device is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: The general view of the ‘SYMPATHOCOR-01’

device.

As it is shown on Figure 1, two multi-element

electrodes in the device have a 13 partial electrodes

by which field of current pulses is formed. The

partial electrodes may act as anodes or cathodes

depending on the field direction of the current

pulses. Parameters field of the current pulses can

change in the following range: the amplitude of the

partial current pulses from 0 to 100 mA, the pulse

duration of the partial current from 10 to 100

microseconds, the frequency of the partial current

pulses from 1 to 200 Hz.

For the current study parameters field of the

current pulses were as follows: the amplitude of the

partial current pulses is 4mA, the pulse duration of

the partial current is 50 microseconds, the frequency

of the partial current pulses is 80 Hz.

It is well known, that the processes in the central

nervous system are the basis of all human mental

activity. It is worth to note here the role of the

cerebral circulation: mental performance (attention,

memory and perception, logical thinking) is reduced

at the deterioration of blood supply to the brain

(Kadykov, 2015). This feature determines the search

for solutions to manage the blood supply of the

brain. Therefore, those physiological mechanisms of

the sympathetic nervous system are fundamental

which allows to control the tone of the blood vessels

of different caliber.

The stimulation of neck nodes of the sympathetic

trunk affects both the vascular tone of arteries of the

brain, and autonomic spinal nucleus (

Klossovskiy,

1951). Thus, our hypothesis consists in the following

the statement that neuro-electrostimulation system is

able to fully modulate the autonomic processes and

affect motor control and cognitive function

(Kublanov et al, 2015).

2.3 Sequence of Research Stages

In the first stage of the study, 54 subjects aged 20 to

25 years took part, randomly divided into the

experimental (32 persons) and control (22) groups.

Prior to the study, subjects underwent a

preliminary examination of the test to evaluate the

baseline values for the test parameters.

Subjects of the experimental group performed

the stress test simultaneously with the corrective

action of the neuro-electrostimulation device.

Subjects of the control group performed a stress

test without corrective action.

The sequence diagram of the first stage of the

study is shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Sequence diagram.

№ step Name of step

Duration,

min.

Background 5

Stress testing (dual 2-back

task)

Rest 5

Repeated stress testing (dual

2-back task)

Background 5

At the second stage of the study, new 33 subjects

aged 20 to 25 were selected at low baseline values

for the test parameters.

Then neuro-electrostimulation procedures during

5 days were carried out to the chosen subjects.

During procedures subjects have performed the

stress testing.

During the first and fifth procedures, an

additional EEG registration was performed. The

registration and analysis of the EEG were carried out

according to the generally accepted standard scheme

10-20 monopolarly relative to the reference

electrode on the earlobes. The registration was

carried out using the 8-channel

electroencephalograph-recorder «Encephalan -

EEGR-19/26» (Russia) for six frequency ranges:

delta

1 (0.5-2 Hz), delta2 (2-4 Hz) theta (4, 0-8.0 Hz),

alpha (8-13 Hz), beta1 (13.0-24.0 Hz), and beta2

(24.0-35.0 Hz).

An example of registration of EEG signals is

shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Realization of recorded EEG signals during

experimental studies of the second stage.

“STATISTICA 10.0” software applications were

used for statistical analysis of the obtained data in

the course of study.

3 RESULTS

3.1 Results of the First Stage

To analyze the obtained data, the relative changes in

the attention and working memory parameters were

calculated.

The variance analysis (ANOVA) of relative

changes of test parameters was carried out to assess

difference between experimental and control groups.

The main purpose of the ANOVA is to study the

importance of differences between the mean values

by comparing variance.

The results of the variance analysis of relative

changes in variables for position and audio stimuli

with the marked ranges of standard deviation in the

main and control groups are presented in the Table 2

and Figures 3-5.

In the course of the variance analysis significant

changes were obtained by the mean response time,

score for each sequence and total score. The values

obtained are reliable at the level of p≤0,05. Table 2

shows the average values of relative changes in

variables with standard deviation in each group.

Table 2: Relative variations of the test parameters in

experimental and control groups.

Variable Experimental

group

Control group

Total score, % 37,4±3,6 31,3±4,4

Score of audio

stimuli, %

40,0±4,9 21,8±5,9

mean response

time of audio

stimuli, %

5,0±1,9 4,4±2,3

Score of position

stimuli, %

41,4±5,5 45,0±6,7

mean response

time of position

stimuli, %

2,7±2,5 -4,1±3,0

Figure 3: Relative variations of mean response time in

experimental and control groups.

Plot on the Fig.3 shows that mean response time

of audio and position stimuli in control group

decreases by (4,4±2,3)% and (4,1±3,0)%

respectively, but in experimental group mean

response time of audio stimuli decreases by

(5,0±1,9)%, mean response time of position stimuli

increases by (2,7±2,5)%.

Figure 4: Relative variations of scores in experimental and

control groups.

Plot on the Fig.4 shows that score of audio and

position stimuli in control group increases by

(21,8

±5,9) % and (45,1±6,7) % respectively, but in

experimental group score of audio and position

stimuli increases by (40±4,9) % and (41,4±5,5) %

respectively.

Figure 5: Relative variations of total score in experimental

and control groups.

Plot on the Fig.5 shows that total score in control

and experimental groups increases by (31,3 ±4,4) %

and (37,4 ±3,6) % respectively.

3.2 Results of the Second Stage

Test parameters were assessed before the start of the

study, at the first procedure, at the fifth procedure

and 2 months later. The results are presented in the

Table 3 and Figures 6-8.

Table 3: Test parameters.



Before I procedure

procedure

After 2

months

mean

response

time of

position

stimuli,

sec

1,35±0,03 1,33±0,03 1,08±0,03 1,1±0,03

mean

response

time of

audio

stimuli,

sec

1,38±0,03 1,36±0,03 1,16±0,03 1,19±0,03

Score of

position

stimuli,

41,45±2,23 57,1±2,2 78,43±2,2

77,11±2,2

Score of

audio

stimuli,

42,59±2,09 58,19±2,06 76,5±2,06

74,01±2,0

Score

Total, %

42,31±1,89 57,72±1,87

77,40±1,8

75,43±1,8

Figure 6: Results of repeated measures ANOVA of mean

response time.

Figure 7: Results of repeated measures ANOVA of scores.

Figure 8: Results of repeated measures ANOVA of total

score.

Plot on the Fig. 6-8 shows how test parameters

change during the research stages.

3.3 Results of the Coherent Analysis of

the EEG

At the second stage of the study, a coherent analysis

of the EEG data obtained during the first and fifth

procedures was carried out. Coherent EEG analysis

is used to assess the regularity of plastic

restructuring of cortical structures (Melnikova et al,

2011). Coherence greater than 0.7 points out a high

degree of relationship between processes. In the

course of the analysis, coherence values were

obtained at each step, according to the sequence

diagram. Then, the number of intrahemispheric and

interhemispheric connections with coherence values

above 0.8 was calculated and the statistical analysis

was performed using ANOVA.

An example of the distribution of the coherence

values at the second step of the study (dual 2-back

task) during the first and fifth procedures is shown in

Figures 9, 10.

Figure 9: An example of the distribution of coherence

values (0.8-1.0) during the first procedure in the second

step of the study (dual 2-back task performing).

Figure 10: An example of the distribution of coherence

values (0.8-1.0) during the fifth procedure in the second

step of the study (dual 2-back task performing).

As a result of the variance analysis, significant

differences between the first and fifth procedures (p

<0.05) were obtained in the number of

intrahemispheric connections in delta

2 wave during

dual 2-back task performing according to 2 and 4 steps

of the the sequence diagram, as well as in the

number of interhemispheric connections in alpha

wave during rest, corresponding to 1,3 and 5 steps of

the the sequence diagram. The results are shown in

Figures 11, 12.

Figure 11: The number of intrahemispheric connections in

delta 2 wave during dual 2-back task performing for the

first and fifth procedure.

Figure 12: The number of interhemispheric connections

for alpha during rest for the first and fifth procedure.

4 DISCUSSION

During the first stage of the study, the significant

differences in the test parameters in the experimental

and control groups were shown. The quality of the

test in the experimental group with the use of neuro-

electrostimulation was higher than in the control

group. Thus, the use of neuro-electrostimulation

allows to increase the test results for assessing

working memory and attention.

During the second stage, a corrective procedure

was performed on subjects with low test scores (42.3

± 1.9)%. After the first procedure, the test results

averaged (57.7 ± 1.9%), and after the fifth (77.4 ±

1.9)%. After 2 months, the results were preserved

and amounted to (75.4 ± 1.9)%. These results

indicate an increase in the level of working memory,

which allows one to constantly remember, update

and analyze the information received.

As a result of the analysis of the frequency-

spatial distribution of functional connections during

the first and fifth neuro-electrostimulation

procedure, it was found that for the low-frequency

delta band number of the right hemisphere

connections increased, the number of left

hemisphere connections decreased at the N-back

task performing during the fifth procedure in

comparison with first.

Probably, the functional state of the cerebral

cortex in cognitive loading is associated with

neurophysiological mechanisms that cause the

intensification of interrelated slow wave activity.

The stages of functional rest are distinguished by

an increase in the number of interhemispheric

coherent connections for the alpha range during the

fifth procedure in comparison with the first.

To justify the results obtained with the help of

coherent EEG analysis in the subsequent stages of

the study, an advanced study of the mechanisms of

the brain functioning is proposed.

5 CONCLUSIONS

In the course of the study results showed that the use

of the ‘SYMPATHOCOR-01’ device for neuro-

electrostimulation of the peripheral nervous system

allows improving of working memory and attention

parameters, estimated by the correctness of the dual

2-back test and response time.

The results of the research can be applied in the

development of programs to improve the

effectiveness of teaching and the development of

techniques for the correction of cognitive abilities in

humans. The use of neuro-electrostimulation of the

peripheral nervous system could reduce the amount

of time and resources expended on the training

process for mastering or improving the acquired

skills.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The work was supported by Act 211 Government of

the Russian Federation, contract № 02.A03.21.0006.

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