Higher-order cognitive training effects on processing speed–related neural activity: a randomized trial

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.10.003
• Publication Date: 2017-10-13T20:45:39Z
• Authors: Michael A. Motes; Uma S. Yezhuvath; Sina Aslan; Jeffrey S. Spence; Bart Rypma; Sandra B. Chapman
• Keywords: Cognitive Training

Higher-order cognitive training has shown to enhance performance in older adults, but the neural mechanisms underlying enhancement have yet be fully disambiguated. This randomized trial examined changes processing speed and speed–related activity participants (57–71 years of age) who underwent (CT, N = 12) compared with wait-listed (WLC, 15) or exercise-training active (AC, 14) controls. The taught control functions strategic attention, integrative reasoning, innovation over 12 weeks. All 3 groups worked through a functional magnetic resonance imaging task during sessions (baseline, mid-training, post-training). Although all showed faster reaction times (RTs) across sessions, CT group significant increase, WLC AC decreases association between RT BOLD signal change within left prefrontal cortex (PFC). Thus, led where was associated reduced PFC activation, fitting previously identified efficiency profiles.