Elaine C. Hubbard Center for Nursing Research on Aging, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
Hum Brain Mapp. 2021 Jul;42(10):3202-3215. doi: 10.1002/hbm.25428. Epub 2021 May 6.
A major challenge in the cognitive training field is inducing broad, far-transfer training effects. Thus far, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying broad training effects. Here, we tested a set of competitive hypotheses regarding the role of brain integration versus segregation underlying the broad training effect. We retrospectively analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial comparing neurocognitive effects of vision-based speed of processing training (VSOP) and an active control consisting of mental leisure activities (MLA) in older adults with MCI. We classified a subset of participants in the VSOP as learners, who showed improvement in executive function and episodic memory. The other participants in the VSOP (i.e., VSOP non-learners) and a subset of participants in the MLA (i.e., MLA non-learners) served as controls. Structural brain networks were constructed from diffusion tensor imaging. Clustering coefficients (CCs) and characteristic path lengths were computed as measures of segregation and integration, respectively. Learners showed significantly greater global CCs after intervention than controls. Nodal CCs were selectively enhanced in cingulate cortex, parietal regions, striatum, and thalamus. Among VSOP learners, those with more severe baseline neurodegeneration had greater improvement in segregation after training. Our findings suggest broad training effects are related to enhanced segregation in selective brain networks, providing insight into cognitive training related neuroplasticity.
认知训练领域的一个主要挑战是诱导广泛的、远迁移的训练效果。迄今为止，人们对广泛训练效果的神经机制知之甚少。在这里，我们测试了一组关于大脑整合与分离在广泛训练效果中的作用的竞争性假设。我们回顾性地分析了一项随机对照试验的数据，该试验比较了基于视觉的处理速度训练（VSOP）和由精神休闲活动（MLA）组成的主动对照在 MCI 老年人中的神经认知效果。我们将 VSOP 中的一部分参与者分为学习者，他们的执行功能和情景记忆得到改善。VSOP 中的其他参与者（即 VSOP 非学习者）和 MLA 的一部分参与者（即 MLA 非学习者）作为对照组。从弥散张量成像构建了结构大脑网络。聚类系数（CC）和特征路径长度分别作为分离和整合的度量来计算。干预后，学习者的全局 CC 显著高于对照组。扣带皮层、顶叶区域、纹状体和丘脑的节点 CC 选择性增强。在 VSOP 学习者中，那些基线神经退行性变更严重的人在训练后在分离方面有更大的改善。我们的发现表明，广泛的训练效果与选择性大脑网络中分离的增强有关，为认知训练相关的神经可塑性提供了深入的了解。
