Complex and subtle structural changes in prefrontal cortex induced by inhibitory control training from childhood to...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Training

Background:

• Executive functions, including inhibitory control (IC), are crucial for development.
• The maturation of prefrontal cortex (PFC) subregions underlies IC development.
• Previous research has not examined structural neuroplasticity from IC training during childhood and adolescence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate behavioral and structural changes from IC training in children and adolescents.
• To explore age- and gender-specific effects of IC training on neuroplasticity.

Main Methods:

• A 5-week computerized, adaptive IC training program was administered.
• Participants included 10-year-old children and 16-year-old adolescents.
• Behavioral IC tasks and structural MRI were used pre- and post-training.

Main Results:

• Children's IC efficiency improved post-training, specifically in boys.
• Adolescents showed no significant improvement in IC efficiency.
• IC training induced age- and gender-specific changes in cortical thickness and surface area in PFC subregions.

Conclusions:

• IC training can induce structural neuroplasticity in the PFC of children, with effects varying by gender.
• The findings suggest complex, age- and gender-specific mechanisms underlying IC development and training.
• Further research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings on neuroplasticity and behavioral changes.