Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Hum Brain Mapp. 2021 Apr 1;42(5):1359-1375. doi: 10.1002/hbm.25298. Epub 2020 Dec 8.
Previous studies indicate that musical instrument training may improve the cognitive function of older adults. However, little is known about the neural origins of training-related improvement in cognitive function. Here, we assessed the effects of instrumental training program on cognitive functions and neural efficiency in musically naïve older adults (61-85 years old). Participants were assigned to either the intervention group, which received a 4-month instrumental training program using keyboard harmonica, or a control group without any alternative training. Cognitive measurements and functional magnetic resonance imaging during visual working memory (VWM) task were administered before and after the intervention in both groups. Behavioral data revealed that the intervention group significantly improved memory performance on the test that measures verbal recall compared to the control group. Neuroimaging data revealed that brain activation in the right supplementary motor area, left precuneus, and bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus (PCgG) during the VWM task decreased after instrumental training only in the intervention group. Task-related functional connectivity (FC) analysis revealed that the intervention group showed decreased FC between the right PCgG and left middle temporal gyrus, and between the left putamen and right superior temporal gyrus (lPu-rSTG) during a VWM task after the intervention. Furthermore, a greater improvement in memory performance in the intervention group was associated with a larger reduction in lPu-rSTG FC, which might be interpreted as improved neural efficiency. Our results indicate that the musical instrument training program may contribute to improvements in verbal memory and neural efficiency in novice older adults.
先前的研究表明，乐器训练可能会改善老年人的认知功能。然而，对于训练相关的认知功能改善的神经起源知之甚少。在这里，我们评估了乐器训练计划对无音乐经验的老年成年人（61-85 岁）的认知功能和神经效率的影响。参与者被分配到干预组或对照组。干预组接受了为期 4 个月的键盘口琴乐器训练，而对照组则没有接受任何替代训练。在干预前后，两组都进行了认知测量和视觉工作记忆（VWM）任务的功能磁共振成像。行为数据显示，与对照组相比，干预组在测试言语回忆的测试中记忆表现显著提高。神经影像学数据显示，只有在干预组中，在 VWM 任务中，右侧辅助运动区、左侧楔前叶和双侧后扣带回（PCgG）的大脑激活在乐器训练后减少。任务相关的功能连接（FC）分析显示，干预组在 VWM 任务中，右侧 PCgG 与左侧颞中回之间以及左侧壳核与右侧颞上回之间的 FC 减少。此外，干预组记忆表现的改善与 lPu-rSTG FC 的更大减少相关，这可能被解释为神经效率的提高。我们的结果表明，乐器训练计划可能有助于提高新手老年人的言语记忆和神经效率。
