Changes in Neural Activity Underlying Working Memory after Computerized Cognitive Training in Older Adults.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Computerized cognitive training (CCT) is explored for mitigating age-related cognitive decline.
• The efficacy and underlying neurocognitive mechanisms of CCT remain debated.
• Working memory (WM) is crucial for cognitive function and is affected by aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neurocognitive effects of adaptive working memory (WM) CCT in older adults.
• To examine changes in event-related potentials (ERPs) as neural markers of cognitive processes.
• To compare adaptive CCT with an active control CCT.

Main Methods:

• 35 older adults were randomized to adaptive WM CCT or an active control CCT for 5 weeks.
• Event-related potentials (ERPs), specifically anterior P3a and posterior P3b, were measured during a visual n-back task.
• The n-back task assessed cognitive performance at varying demand levels (0-back, 1-back, 2-back).

Main Results:

• Adaptive CCT increased anterior P3a and posterior P3b amplitudes, indicating enhanced attention and WM updating.
• The active control group showed a decrease in anterior P3a amplitude.
• No significant differences in task performance were observed between groups or over time.
• Larger P3 amplitudes strongly correlated with better task performance, especially at high cognitive load.

Conclusions:

• Adaptive WM CCT is associated with neural changes reflecting improved attention and WM updating processes in older adults.
• Increased P3 amplitude post-training correlates with enhanced cognitive performance, particularly under high task demands.
• While neural mechanisms show improvement, direct links between adaptive CCT and improved behavioral performance require further investigation.