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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this information.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
07:01

Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment

Published on: September 20, 2020

Neuronal effects following working memory training.

Martin Buschkuehl1, Susanne M Jaeggi, John Jonides

  • 1The University of Michigan, Department of Psychology, East Hall, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1043, USA. mbu@umich.edu

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
|June 12, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cognitive training, particularly working memory (WM) training, shows benefits in untrained tasks. However, brain imaging studies reveal no clear neural mechanism explaining this cognitive transfer, necessitating further research.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Working memory (WM) training is increasingly linked to improvements in untrained cognitive tasks.
  • Understanding the neural mechanisms behind this cognitive transfer is crucial but remains challenging.
  • Brain imaging offers a potential avenue to explore these underlying neural changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze neuroimaging studies investigating the neural correlates of working memory (WM) training.
  • To identify specific changes in brain activation, connectivity, structure, and neurochemistry associated with WM training and transfer.
  • To synthesize current findings and highlight gaps in the understanding of WM training's neural impact.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and analysis of existing neuroimaging literature focusing on WM interventions.
  • Examination of studies measuring changes in brain activation patterns during cognitive tasks.
  • Assessment of research on alterations in resting-state functional connectivity, brain structure (e.g., gray matter volume), and dopaminergic system function post-WM training.

Main Results:

  • No consistent pattern of neural changes was identified across studies examining WM training and transfer.
  • Observed effects included alterations in activation, resting-state connectivity, and brain structure, but lacked uniformity.
  • Changes in the dopaminergic system were also investigated, but results were inconclusive regarding a specific mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • While brain imaging has provided insights into potential neural mechanisms of WM training, definitive conclusions about transfer remain elusive.
  • Current neuroimaging evidence does not single out a specific neural pathway or mechanism responsible for the observed cognitive transfer.
  • Further rigorous neuroimaging research is required to elucidate the precise neural underpinnings of working memory training and its far-reaching cognitive effects.