Cortical and subcortical responsiveness to intensive adaptive working memory training: An MRI surface-based analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Working memory training (WMT) effects on cognitive performance and neurobiology are debated.
• Impact of WMT on gray matter morphology remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the effects of adaptive WMT on gray matter morphology in healthy middle-aged adults.
• Examine neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive changes after WMT.

Main Methods:

• 59 healthy middle-aged adults (50-65 years) underwent an 8-week adaptive WMT or non-adaptive intervention.
• High-resolution MRI and cognitive tests were performed pre- and post-intervention.
• Vertex-wise cortical volume, thickness, surface area, and folding were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Adaptive WMT group showed increased cortical gyrification in parietal regions (superior parietal cortex, inferior parietal lobule, precuneus).
• WMT led to greater cortical volume and thickness increases in bilateral primary motor cortex.
• Changes in surface area were observed in bilateral occipital cortex (medial and lateral).

Conclusions:

• Structural changes in WMT-related regions, especially parietal areas, may enhance brain processing for working memory.
• Adaptive WMT can induce measurable gray matter morphological changes in healthy middle-aged adults.