No evidence that working memory training alters gray matter structure: A MRI surface -based analysis.
Linette Lawlor-Savage1, Cameron M Clark2, Vina M Goghari3
1Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Behavioural Brain Research
|December 12, 2018
Summary
Adaptive n-back working memory training did not change brain structure in healthy adults. This study found no neuroanatomical benefits from working memory or processing speed training, suggesting n-back training is ineffective for inducing brain changes.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroplasticity
Background:
- The cognitive benefits of working memory training remain controversial due to inconsistent findings and methodological issues.
- Structural neuroimaging offers a potential method to detect training-induced brain changes that may not be evident in cognitive tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether adaptive n-back working memory training induces structural neuroanatomical changes in healthy adults.
- To compare neuroanatomical changes between an n-back training group and an active control group (processing speed training).
Main Methods:
- Healthy adults (aged 18-40) underwent structural MRI before and after a 6-week training program.
- Participants were assigned to either n-back working memory training or processing speed training.
- Cortical surface area, thickness, volume, and subcortical/total gray matter volumes were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVAs.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in cortical surface area, thickness, or volume were observed between the training groups over time.
- Subcortical and total gray matter volumes also showed no significant changes after either training intervention.
- All neuroanatomical metrics yielded null results after correction for multiple comparisons.
Conclusions:
- Adaptive n-back working memory training does not appear to induce measurable neuroanatomical changes in healthy adults.
- Current findings, alongside other recent studies, suggest n-back training is ineffective for promoting neuroplasticity.
- Further research exploring alternative training paradigms is needed to advance the field of cognitive enhancement.
Keywords:
Cognitive enhancementFreeSurferMRIN-backProcessing speed trainingSurface based analysisWorking memory trainingMore Related Videos
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