Cortical Grey Matter Mediates Increases in Model-Based Control and Learning from Positive Feedback from Adolescence
Vanessa Scholz1,2, Maria Waltmann3,4, Nadine Herzog4,5
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Centre of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany scholz_v@ukw.de deserno_l@ukw.de.
Summary
Brain maturation, particularly gray matter density reductions in the parietal cortex, supports increased model-based control with age. Positive feedback learning also improves with age, linked to reduced gray matter density in prefrontal regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cognition and brain structure mature significantly from adolescence to adulthood.
- Model-based (MB) control, a key cognitive ability, increases with age and is mediated by cognitive skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the brain structural correlates of age-related increases in MB control.
- Examine how motivational context influences age-related MB control development.
Main Methods:
- Structural MRI and a modified MB control task in 103 participants (ages 12-50).
- Task included reward/punishment blocks to manipulate motivational context and assess feedback learning.
Main Results:
- Parietal cortex gray matter density (GMD) mediates age-related increases in MB control.
- Motivational context did not affect age-related MB control changes.
- Positive feedback learning improved with age, mediated by reduced GMD in parietal, medial, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; negative feedback learning showed no age effect.
Conclusions:
- Brain maturation, indicated by reduced GMD in specific cortical regions, supports enhanced MB control and value-based decision-making.
- These findings highlight neuroanatomical changes as crucial for cognitive development in decision-making.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
94
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
94
01:24Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
609
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
609
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
76
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are...
76
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
4.1K
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
4.1K
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
535
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
535
01:30Information Processing Approach
88
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
88