The effect of chess on cognition: a graph theory study on cognitive data
Lissett Gonzalez-Burgos1, Candida Lozano-Rodriguez2, Yaiza Molina3
1Departamento de Psicología Clínica, Psicobiología y Metodología, Facultad de Psicología y Logopedia, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
Frontiers in Psychology
|October 2, 2024
Summary
Chess players exhibit a reorganized cognitive architecture, with enhanced local efficiency and specific brain regions central to their cognitive connectome. This suggests a distinct brain network organization in individuals who play chess.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Graph Theory Applications
Background:
- Previous studies on chess and cognition were primarily univariate.
- Graph theory offers a novel approach to analyze complex cognitive networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive connectome of adult chess players using graph theory.
- To expand understanding of how chess influences cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Inclusion of 19 chess players and 19 controls (ages 39-69).
- Utilized 27 cognitive measures across multiple domains.
- Applied graph theory analysis including global, nodal, and community structure measures.
Main Results:
- Chess players showed higher local efficiency but lower global efficiency in their cognitive connectome.
- Executive/attention/processing speed and visuoconstructive nodes were central.
- Cognitive architecture was reorganized into three distinct modules, correlating with superior visuospatial abilities.
Conclusions:
- Chess players' cognitive architecture is modularly reorganized.
- This reorganization reflects distinct functional networks, potentially lateralized and orchestrated by frontal lobe connections.
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