Cardiorespiratory fitness mediates the relationship between depressive symptomatology and cognition in older but not younger adults.

Aging is commonly associated with emotional, physical, and cognitive changes, with the latter, particularly affecting executive functioning. Further, such changes may interact. For instance, depressive symptomatology is a known risk factor for developing cognitive deficits, especially at older ages. In contrast, an active lifestyle, reflected in high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels, has proven to protect against adverse effects on cognition across the adult lifespan. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the relationships between depressive symptomatology, CRF, and cognition during critical developmental stages, namely in young adults (YA), when cognitive abilities are at their peak, and in older adults (OA), when they may start to decline. Eighty-one OA with ages between 60 and 89 years (M = 70.46; SD = 7.18) and 77 YA with ages between 18 and 34 years (M = 22.54; SD = 3.72) went through (i) a sociodemographic interview, (ii) an emotional assessment, (iii) a battery of cognitive tests, and (iv) a physical evaluation assessing CRF levels, visceral fat and body-mass index. Results showed that OA exhibited lower general cognitive performance, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, memory, and CRF. Depressive symptoms and anxiety were not different among groups, with CRF mediating the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognition in the OA group. The present study provides valuable insights into the interplay between emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being. Additionally, it calls attention to how lifestyle factors can play a protective role against the adverse effects that depressive symptoms have on cognition, particularly at older ages.

Is There a Bias Towards Males in the Diagnosis of Autism? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Autism is more frequently diagnosed in males, with evidence suggesting that females are more likely to be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. Possibly, the male/female ratio imbalance relates to phenotypic and camouflaging differences between genders. Here, we performed a comprehensive approach to phenotypic and camouflaging research in autism addressed in two studies. First (Study 1 - Phenotypic Differences in Autism), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of gender differences in autism phenotype. The electronic datasets Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsychInfo were searched. We included 67 articles that compared females and males in autism core symptoms, and in cognitive, socioemotional, and behavioural phenotypes. Autistic males exhibited more severe symptoms and social interaction difficulties on standard clinical measures than females, who, in turn, exhibited more cognitive and behavioural difficulties. Considering the hypothesis of camouflaging possibly underlying these differences, we then conducted a meta-analysis of gender differences in camouflaging (Study 2 - Camouflaging Differences in Autism). The same datasets as the first study were searched. Ten studies were included. Females used more compensation and masking camouflage strategies than males. The results support the argument of a bias in clinical procedures towards males and the importance of considering a 'female autism phenotype'-potentially involving camouflaging-in the diagnostic process.

Correction: Capturing the attentional response to clinical auditory alarms: An ERP study on priority pulses.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281680.].

Data mining techniques in psychotherapy: applications for studying therapeutic alliance.

Therapeutic Alliance (TA) has been consistently reported as a robust predictor of therapy outcomes and is one of the most investigated therapy relational factors. Research on therapists' and clients' contributions to the alliance development and the alliance-outcome relationship had shown mixed results. The relation of the therapist's and client's biological markers with the alliance is an important and under-investigated topic. Taking advantage of data mining techniques, this exploratory study aimed to investigate the role of different therapist and client factors, including heart rate (HR) and electrodermal activity (EDA), in relation to TA. Twenty-two dyads with 6 therapists and 22 clients participated in the study. The Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) was used to evaluate the client's and therapist's perception of the alliance at the end of each session and through the therapy processes. The Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) was used to explore patterns that may contribute to TA. Machine Learning (ML) models have been employed to provide insights into the predictors and correlates of TA. Our results showed that Linear Regression (LR) was the best technique for predicting the therapist's TA, with client "Diagnostic" and therapy "Termination" being identified as significant predictors of the therapist's TA. In addition, for clients' TA, the Random Forest (RF) was shown to have the best performance. The therapist's TA and therapy "Outcome" were observed as the most influential predictors for the client's TA. In addition, while the Heart Rate (therapist) was negatively associated with the therapist's TA, EDA in the client was a physiological indicator related to the client's TA. Overall, these findings can assist in identifying key factors that therapists should focus on to enhance the quality of therapeutic alliance. Results are discussed in terms of their consistency with empirical literature, innovative and interdisciplinary research on the therapeutic alliance field, and, in particular, the use of the Data Mining approach in a psychotherapy context.

Observational measures of caregiver's touch behavior in infancy: A systematic review.

The caregiver's touch behavior during early infancy is linked to multiple developmental outcomes. However, social touch remains a challenging construct to operationalize, and although observational tools have been a gold standard for measuring touch in caregiver-infant interactions, no systematic review has been conducted before. We followed the PRISMA guidelines and reviewed the literature to describe and classify the main characteristics of the available observational instruments. Of the 3042 publications found, we selected 45 that included an observational measure, and from those we identified 12 instruments. Most of the studies were of infants younger than six months of age and assessed touch in two laboratory tasks: face-to-face interaction and still-face procedure. We identified three approaches for evaluating the caregiver's touch behavior: strictly behavioral (the observable touch behavior), functional (the functional role of the touch behavior), or mixed (a combination of the previous two). Half of the instruments were classified as functional, 25% as strictly observational, and 25% as mixed. The lack of conceptual and operational uniformity and consistency between instruments is discussed.

Translation, validity, and reliability of the European Portuguese version of the Touch Experiences and Attitudes Questionnaire.

Background: Positive touch experiences have proved to be extremely important throughout our lifespan, with cascading effects on our social life. However, few questionnaires are available to measure attitudes and experiences of touch in the Portuguese population. This study aimed to translate and validate the European Portuguese version of the Touch Experiences and Attitudes Questionnaire (TEAQ), as a reliable and valid instrument to measure different aspects of affective touch experiences and attitudes. Methods: Therefore, an online sample of 384 (299 females and 85 males) participants, aged between 18 and 75 years (M = 24.59; SD = 9.56) was collected. Multidimensional Rasch model and confirmatory factor analysis were carried out, and also reliability and convergent and discriminant validity were determined. In addition, we examined sex differences in attitudes and experiences of touch. Results: Results showed good fit indexes for the 52-item six-factor model structure (friends and family touch, current intimate touch, childhood touch, attitudes to self-care, attitudes to intimate touch, and attitudes to unfamiliar touch). This instrument also showed good reliability and acceptable convergent and discriminant validity. Significant sex differences were found, with female participants reporting more positive touch experiences (including childhood touch, friends and family touch, and current intimate touch) and a more favourable attitude to self-care, with males showing a more positive attitude towards unfamiliar touch. Regarding attitudes towards the intimate touch, scores for both groups were comparable. Conclusion: Overall, the European Portuguese version of the TEAQ presented good psychometric properties and appears to be a reliable and valid self-report measure, being a useful and beneficial instrument in research and clinical settings.

Capturing the attentional response to clinical auditory alarms: An ERP study on priority pulses.

Clinical auditory alarms are often found in hospital wards and operating rooms. In these environments, regular daily tasks can result in having a multitude of concurrent sounds (from staff and patients, building systems, carts, cleaning devices, and importantly, patient monitoring devices) which easily amount to a prevalent cacophony. The negative impact of this soundscape on staff and patients' health and well-being, as well as in their performance, demand for accordingly designed sound alarms. The recently updated IEC60601-1-8 standard, in guidance for medical equipment auditory alarms, proposed a set of pointers to distinctly convey medium or high levels of priority (urgency). However, conveying priority without compromising other features, such as ease of learnability and detectability, is an ongoing challenge. Electroencephalography, a non-invasive technique for measuring the brain response to a given stimulus, suggests that certain Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) components such as the Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and P3a may be the key to uncovering how sounds are processed at the pre-attentional level and how they may capture our attention. In this study, the brain dynamics in response to the priority pulses of the updated IEC60601-1-8 standard was studied via ERPs (MMN and P3a), for a soundscape characterised by the repetition of a sound (generic SpO2 "beep"), usually present in operating and recovery rooms. Additional behavioural experiments assessed the behavioural response to these priority pulses. Results showed that the Medium Priority pulse elicits a larger MMN and P3a peak amplitude when compared to the High Priority pulse. This suggests that, at least for the applied soundscape, the Medium Priority pulse is more easily detected and attended at the neural level. Behavioural data supports this indication, showing significantly shorter reaction times for the Medium Priority pulse. The results pose the possibility that priority pointers of the updated IEC60601-1-8 standard may not be successfully conveying their intended priority levels, which may not only be due to design properties but also to the soundscape in which these clinical alarms are deployed. This study highlights the need for intervention in both hospital soundscapes and auditory alarm design settings.

Nodes of the default mode network implicated in the quality of empathic responses: A clinical perspective of the empathic response

The ability to empathize with another person's inner experience is believed to be a central element of our social interactions. Previous research has focused on cognitive (e.g., theory of mind) and emotional (e.g., emotional contagion) empathy, and less on behavioral factors (i.e., the ability to respond empathically). Recent studies suggest that the Default Mode Network (DMN) mediates individual variability in distinct empathy-related behaviors. However, little is known about DMN activity during actual empathic responses, understood in this study as the ability to communicate our understanding of the others’ experience back to them. This study used an empathy response paradigm with 28 participants (22-37 years old) to analyze the relationship between the quality of empathic responses to 14 empathy-eliciting vignettes and patterns of attenuation in the DMN. Overall, the results suggest that high levels of empathic response, are associated with sustained activation of the DMN when compared with lower levels of empathy. Our results demonstrate that the DMN becomes increasingly involved in empathy-related behavior, as our level of commitment to the other's experience increases. This study represents a first attempt to understand the relation between the capacity for responding in a supportive way to others’ needs and the intra-individual variability of the pattern of the DMN attenuation. Here we underline the critical role that the DMN plays in high-level social cognitive processes and corroborate the DMN role in different psychiatric disorders associated with a lack of empathy. (AU)

Object coding in peripersonal space depends on object ownership.

Previous studies have shown that objects located in the peripersonal space (PPS) receive enhanced attention, as compared with extrapersonal space (EPS), However, most objects in the environment belong to someone in particular and how object ownership influences object coding in relation to PPS representation is still unclear. In the present study, after having chosen their own mug, participants performed a reachability judgement task of self-owned and other-owned mugs presented at different distances while facing a virtual character. This task was followed, on each trial, by a localisation task in which participants had to indicate where the mug, removed from view, was previously located. The two tasks were separated by a 900-ms visual mask during which the virtual character was unnoticeably shifted by 3° to evaluate the spatial frame-of-reference used. The results showed that self-owned mugs were processed faster than other-owned mugs, but only when located in the PPS. Furthermore, reachability judgements were biased for self-owned mugs, leading to an extension of the PPS representation, especially for participants with a high score on the fantasy scale of Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Finally, the virtual character shift altered the localisation performance but only for the distant mugs, suggesting a progressive shift from egocentric to allocentric frame-of-reference when moving from the PPS to EPS, irrespective of object ownership. Overall, our data reveal that the representations of ownership and PPS interact to facilitate the processing of manipulable objects, to an extent that depends on individual sensitivity to the social presence of others.

Nodes of the default mode network implicated in the quality of empathic responses: A clinical perspective of the empathic response.

The ability to empathize with another person's inner experience is believed to be a central element of our social interactions. Previous research has focused on cognitive (e.g., theory of mind) and emotional (e.g., emotional contagion) empathy, and less on behavioral factors (i.e., the ability to respond empathically). Recent studies suggest that the Default Mode Network (DMN) mediates individual variability in distinct empathy-related behaviors. However, little is known about DMN activity during actual empathic responses, understood in this study as the ability to communicate our understanding of the others' experience back to them. This study used an empathy response paradigm with 28 participants (22-37 years old) to analyze the relationship between the quality of empathic responses to 14 empathy-eliciting vignettes and patterns of attenuation in the DMN. Overall, the results suggest that high levels of empathic response, are associated with sustained activation of the DMN when compared with lower levels of empathy. Our results demonstrate that the DMN becomes increasingly involved in empathy-related behavior, as our level of commitment to the other's experience increases. This study represents a first attempt to understand the relation between the capacity for responding in a supportive way to others' needs and the intra-individual variability of the pattern of the DMN attenuation. Here we underline the critical role that the DMN plays in high-level social cognitive processes and corroborate the DMN role in different psychiatric disorders associated with a lack of empathy.

Examining the effects of emotional valence and arousal on source memory: A meta-analysis of behavioral evidence.

The current meta-analysis examined the effects of valence and arousal on source memory accuracy, including the identification of variables that moderate the magnitude and direction of those effects. Fifty-three studies, comprising 85 individual experiments (N = 3,040 participants), were selected. Three separate analyses focusing on valence effects (valence-based: negative-neutral; positive-neutral; negative-positive) and other three focusing exclusively on arousal (arousal-based: high-low; medium-low; high-medium) were considered. Effect sizes varied from very small to medium. For the valence-based analyses, source memory accuracy was impaired for emotional compared with neutral stimuli (dunb = -.14 for negative-neutral; dunb = -.11 for positive-neutral), with a similar performance found for the negative-positive comparison (dunb = -.04). In the case of arousal-based analyses, source memory was improved for stimuli with high and medium arousal versus low arousal (dunb = .27, dunb = .49, respectively), with no statistically significant difference between high and medium arousal stimuli (dunb = -.12). Emotion effects on source memory were modulated by methodological factors. These factors may account for the variety findings typically found in emotion-related source memory research and could be systematically addressed in future studies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Neural correlates of face familiarity in institutionalised children and links to attachment disordered behaviour.

BACKGROUND: One of the most well-documented sequelae of early maltreatment and institutionalisation is attachment problems, including behaviours under the labels of reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED). Despite growing evidence of the neurobiological effects of institutionalisation, the neural correlates of these behavioural patterns are largely unknown. METHODS: The current study examined effects of both institutionalisation in general and attachment disordered behaviour, in particular, on brain-based markers of face processing, in 100 Portuguese children (70 currently institutionalised, 30 continuously raised by their families). Children's neural processing of caregiver's and stranger's faces was assessed with Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). RESULTS: Compared to children from the community, institutionalised children showed smaller amplitudes in the N170, to both stranger and caregiver faces. Amongst the institutionalised group, living in a setting with a higher children-to-caregivers' ratio was associated with smaller P400 amplitudes. The display of DSED symptoms was associated with a smaller P1 to both faces, as well as a reduced differentiation between faces in P400 amplitudes and smaller P400 to the stranger's face. In contrast, RAD symptoms were not associated with any ERP measures. CONCLUSIONS: Results replicate previously reported hypoactivation in institutionalised children, in a less-globally deprived setting than past work, indicating that such a pattern is associated with lack of individualised care and increased symptoms of DSED.

Corrigendum: Processing speed mediates the association between physical activity and executive functioning in elderly adults.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.958535.].

Non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring tool of children's mental health: A point-of-care immunosensor for IL-6 quantification in saliva samples.

Mental disorders are commonly featured as chronic conditions with often onset during childhood. In this context, inflammation has been associated with a higher risk of developing physical and mental health problems. Interleukin (IL)-6 is a key mediator of inflammatory responses and plays a pivotal role in immune and nervous system interaction. High levels of IL-6 during childhood are associated with mental problems, indicating that the IL-6 molecular pathway may represent a new target for monitoring and treating these conditions. Here, we report the detection of IL-6 in saliva samples from children (N = 118, mean age 4.4 years old) with behavioral problems using an immunosensor based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This work demonstrates that the proposed immunosensor requires smaller sample volumes and is significantly faster and more sensitive than conventional ELISA while maintaining comparable levels of specificity and reproducibility. The point-of care immunosensor for detection of IL-6 in saliva samples presented herewith is, therefore, an attractive solution to the clinical practice as a rapid non-invasive, high-sensitive monitoring tool of mental health problems, especially in vulnerable patient populations such as children.

Resting-state electroencephalographic correlates of cognitive reserve: Moderating the age-related worsening in cognitive function.

This exploratory study aimed to investigate the resting-state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) correlates of the cognitive reserve from a life span perspective. Current source density (CSD) and lagged-linear connectivity (LLC) measures were assessed to this aim. We firstly explored the relationship between rsEEG measures for the different frequency bands and a socio-behavioral proxy of cognitive reserve, the Cognitive Reserve Index (CRI). Secondly, we applied moderation analyses to assess whether any of the correlated rsEEG measures showed a moderating role in the relationship between age and cognitive function. Moderate negative correlations were found between the CRI and occipital CSD of delta and beta 2. Moreover, inter- and intrahemispheric LLC measures were correlated with the CRI, showing a negative association with delta and positive associations with alpha 1, beta 1, and beta 2. Among those correlated measures, just two rsEEG variables were significant moderators of the relationship between age and cognition: occipital delta CSD and right hemispheric beta 2 LLC between occipital and limbic regions. The effect of age on cognitive performance was stronger for higher values of both measures. Therefore, lower values of occipital delta CSD and lower beta 2 LLC between right occipital and limbic regions might protect or compensate for the effects of age on cognition. Results of this exploratory study might be helpful to allocate more preventive efforts to curb the progression of cognitive decline in adults with less CR, possibly characterized by these rsEEG parameters at a neural level. However, given the exploratory nature of this study, more conclusive work on these rsEEG measures is needed to firmly establish their role in the cognition-age relationship, for example, verifying if these measures moderate the relationship between brain structure and cognition.

Processing speed mediates the association between physical activity and executive functioning in elderly adults.

Advanced aging is associated with cognitive decline. To decrease the healthcare system and socio-economic burdens as well as to promote better quality of life, is important to uncover the factors that may be related to the delay of cognitive impairments in older adults. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity levels, sedentary behavior and cardiorespiratory fitness with cognitive functioning in healthy older adults. Furthermore, it examined the mediating role of processing speed on the association between physical activity and executive functions and long-term memory. Thirty-two individuals aged between 63 and 77 years (M = 68.16, SD = 3.73) underwent measurements of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak), 1-week of PA accelerometer measurement and a comprehensive cognitive assessment. Significant associations were observed between MVPA and cognitive processing speed. Equally, a significant positive indirect effect of MVPA on executive functioning and long-term memory was mediated by processing speed. Also, MVPA levels differentiated cognitive functioning in older adults - the physical active group outperformed the physical inactive group in processing speed, executive functions, and language abilities. Our results contribute to the literature on the MVPA levels as an important tool to promote healthier cognitive aging.

Forgetting Alcohol: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating Memory Inhibition Training in Young Binge Drinkers.

Background: Binge Drinking (BD) has been associated with altered inhibitory control and augmented alcohol-cue reactivity. Memory inhibition (MI), the ability to voluntarily suppress unwanted thoughts/memories, may lead to forgetting of memories in several psychiatric conditions. However, despite its potential clinical implications, no study to date has explored the MI abilities in populations with substance misuse, such as binge drinkers (BDs). Method: This study-registered in the NIH Clinical Trials Database (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05237414)-aims firstly to examine the behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates of MI among college BDs. For this purpose, 45 BDs and 45 age-matched non/low-drinkers (50% female) will be assessed by EEG while performing the Think/No-Think Alcohol task, a paradigm that evaluates alcohol-related MI. Additionally, this work aims to evaluate an alcohol-specific MI intervention protocol using cognitive training (CT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) while its effects on behavioral and EEG outcomes are assessed. BDs will be randomly assigned to one MI training group: combined [CT and verum tDCS applied over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)], cognitive (CT and sham tDCS), or control (sham CT and sham tDCS). Training will occur in three consecutive days, in three sessions. MI will be re-assessed in BDs through a post-training EEG assessment. Alcohol use and craving will be measured at the first EEG assessment, and both 10-days and 3-months post-training. In addition, behavioral and EEG data will be collected during the performance of an alcohol cue reactivity (ACR) task, which evaluates attentional bias toward alcoholic stimuli, before, and after the MI training sessions. Discussion: This study protocol will provide the first behavioral and neurofunctional MI assessment in BDs. Along with poor MI abilities, BDs are expected to show alterations in event-related potentials and functional connectivity patterns associated with MI. Results should also demonstrate the effectiveness of the protocol, with BDs exhibiting an improved capacity to suppress alcohol-related memories after both combined and cognitive training, along with a reduction in alcohol use and craving in the short/medium-term. Collectively, these findings might have major implications for the understanding and treatment of alcohol misuse. Clinical Trial Registration: [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05237414].

Impacts of COVID-19 Sanitary Cues on Hedonic Appreciation of Foods.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to several lifestyle changes, including eating behavior. Herein, we aimed to evaluate how pandemic-related sanitary cues presented in food videos impact food appraisal and desire to eat, and their priming after-effects on subsequent food pictures presented without such cues. In two online sessions, separated by 4 to 7 days, participants watched either a Non-Pandemic or a Pandemic video of a woman eating, the latter containing sanitary elements adopted during the pandemic. The order of the videos was counterbalanced across participants over the two experimental sessions. Videos were followed by images of food from different categories. After observing both videos and each picture, participants were instructed to evaluate the visual aspect, expected smell and flavor, and rate their desire to eat. Our study demonstrated (1) higher hedonic responses to the Non-Pandemic compared to the Pandemic video, (2) a priming effect showing higher appreciation for sweet foods after the Non-Pandemic compared to the Pandemic video, (3) that food exposure gradually increases one's desire to eat, but such effects are impacted by pandemic sanitary cues, and (4) greater hedonic responses are given for sweet and high-calorie foods compared to salty and low-calorie ones, irrespective of pandemic priming. Finally, depression and anxiety symptoms were associated with lower smell evaluations only in the Pandemic condition.

A Machine Learning Approach in Autism Spectrum Disorders: From Sensory Processing to Behavior Problems.

Atypical sensory processing described in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) frequently cascade into behavioral alterations: isolation, aggression, indifference, anxious/depressed states, or attention problems. Predictive machine learning models might refine the statistical explorations of the associations between them by finding out how these dimensions are related. This study investigates whether behavior problems can be predicted using sensory processing abilities. Participants were 72 children and adolescents (21 females) diagnosed with ASD, aged between 6 and 14 years (M = 7.83 years; SD = 2.80 years). Parents of the participants were invited to answer the Sensory Profile 2 (SP2) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) questionnaires. A collection of 26 supervised machine learning regression models of different families was developed to predict the CBCL outcomes using the SP2 scores. The most reliable predictions were for the following outcomes: total problems (using the items in the SP2 touch scale as inputs), anxiety/depression (using avoiding quadrant), social problems (registration), and externalizing scales, revealing interesting relations between CBCL outcomes and SP2 scales. The prediction reliability on the remaining outcomes was "moderate to good" except somatic complaints and rule-breaking, where it was "bad to moderate." Linear and ridge regression achieved the best prediction for a single outcome and globally, respectively, and gradient boosting machine achieved the best prediction in three outcomes. Results highlight the utility of several machine learning models in studying the predictive value of sensory processing impairments (with an early onset) on specific behavior alterations, providing evidences of relationship between sensory processing impairments and behavior problems in ASD.

Working Memory Training Coupled With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Experiment.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been employed to boost working memory training (WMT) effects. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence on the efficacy of this combination in older adults. The present study is aimed to assess the delayed transfer effects of tDCS coupled with WMT in older adults in a 15-day follow-up. We explored if general cognitive ability, age, and educational level predicted the effects. Methods: In this single-center, double-blind randomized sham-controlled experiment, 54 older adults were randomized into three groups: anodal-tDCS (atDCS)+WMT, sham-tDCS (stDCS)+WMT, and double-sham. Five sessions of tDCS (2 mA) were applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Far transfer was measured by Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM), while the near transfer effects were assessed through Digit Span. A frequentist linear mixed model (LMM) was complemented by a Bayesian approach in data analysis. Results: Working memory training improved dual n-back performance in both groups submitted to this intervention but only the group that received atDCS+WMT displayed a significant improvement from pretest to follow-up in transfer measures of reasoning (RAPM) and short-term memory (forward Digit Span). Near transfer improvements predicted gains in far transfer, demonstrating that the far transfer is due to an improvement in the trained construct of working memory. Age, formal education, and vocabulary score seem to predict the gains in reasoning. However, Bayesian results do not provide substantial evidence to support this claim. Conclusion: This study will help to consolidate the incipient but auspicious field of cognitive training coupled with tDCS in healthy older adults. Our findings demonstrated that atDCS may potentialize WMT by promoting transfer effects in short-term memory and reasoning in older adults, which are observed especially at follow-up.