Task-dependent cognitive effects of intermittent theta-burst stimulation across the adult lifespan.

Reaction time slowed with age across all cognitive tasks assessed in the study.

• 53 adults aged 19-73 years participated in the study.
• Age was included as a continuous variable in linear mixed effects and Bayesian models.
• The slowing of reaction time with age was observed across all four cognitive domains: attention, working memory, sequence learning, and inhibition.
• The within-subject crossover design allowed for comparison across sessions spaced one week apart.

iTBS of the DLPFC reduced reaction times in attention tasks across all participants regardless of hemisphere stimulated.

• Brain stimulation reduced reaction times in attention tasks in all participants.
• The improvement in attention was not influenced by hemisphere of stimulation.
• The authors interpreted this as suggesting a facilitation of top-down processing after DLPFC stimulation.
• Both left and right DLPFC stimulation sessions contributed to this effect.

iTBS of the DLPFC reduced reaction times in working memory tasks across all participants.

• Brain stimulation reduced reaction times in working memory tasks in all participants.
• This effect was observed across both left and right hemisphere stimulation sessions.
• Time and hemisphere were used as fixed effects in the linear mixed effects models.
• The working memory enhancements were described as a 'dominant effect.'

Working memory accuracy improved following iTBS, with a right hemisphere advantage.

• Accuracy improved for working memory following iTBS stimulation.
• Right hemisphere iTBS stimulation produced greater accuracy improvements compared to left hemisphere stimulation.
• The authors attributed this to lateralized optimization of visuospatial storage.
• This right hemisphere advantage was a specific finding within the working memory domain.

iTBS effects on cognition were task-dependent, with no reported improvements in sequence learning or inhibition tasks.

• Four cognitive domains were assessed: attention, working memory, sequence learning, and inhibition.
• Significant effects were observed for attention and working memory but not for sequence learning and inhibition.
• Processing speed and accuracy were both assessed across all four domains.
• The task-dependent nature of iTBS effects was highlighted as a key conclusion of the study.

The study used a within-subject crossover design with iTBS delivered to both left and right DLPFC across two sessions.

• 53 adults aged 19-73 years participated.
• Each participant received iTBS to the left DLPFC in one session and right DLPFC in another session.
• Sessions were spaced one week apart.
• Linear mixed effects and Bayesian models were used with time and hemisphere as fixed effects and age as a continuous variable.