BACKGROUND The goal of working memory (WM) training is to expand capacity of this executive function. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with WM training is more consistent than either alone. We have reported that tDCS targeting frontal and/or parietal regions enhanced theta phase locking, reduced alpha power, and strengthened theta-gamma phase amplitude coupling. OBJECTIVE To determine whether tDCS to frontal or parietal sites optimized WM training gains we pre-registered a tDCS-WM training study. METHODS 80 undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of four anodal tDCS montages: frontal (F4), parietal (P4), alternating (P4-F4), and sham (P4 or F4). Participants completed 5-training sessions over one week and returned for follow-up testing after 30 days of no-contact. RESULTS No group showed significant improvement in trained or transfer task performance at the end of training nor at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This null finding marks a failure to replicate in undergraduates training benefits observed in graduate students. We argue that motivation is essential to elicit improved performance in training protocols.

中文翻译：

---

获得课程学分奖励的本科生没有 tDCS 增强工作记忆训练的好处

背景工作记忆（WM）训练的目标是扩展这种执行功能的能力。经颅直流电刺激 (tDCS) 与 WM 训练相结合比单独使用更一致。我们已经报道了针对额叶和/或顶叶区域的 tDCS 增强了 theta 锁相，降低了 alpha 功率，并加强了 theta-gamma 相位幅度耦合。目标为了确定 tDCS 到额叶或顶叶部位是否优化了 WM 培训收益，我们预先注册了一项 tDCS-WM 培训研究。方法 80 名本科生被随机分配到四种阳极 tDCS 蒙太奇之一：额叶 (F4)、顶叶 (P4)、交替 (P4-F4) 和假 (P4 或 F4)。参与者在一周内完成了 5 次培训课程，并在 30 天无接触后返回进行后续测试。结果 没有一组在训练结束或随访时表现出训练或转移任务表现的显着改善。结论 这个无效的发现标志着在研究生中观察到的本科生培训收益未能复制。我们认为动机对于提高训练协议的表现至关重要。