Training of the executive component of working memory: Subcortical areas mediate transfer effects

Issue title: Cognitive Plasticity and Training

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Dahlin, Erika^{; ;} | Bäckman, Lars | Neely, Anna Stigsdotter | Nyberg, Lars^{; ;}

Affiliations: Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden | Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden | Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden | Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden | Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

Note: [] Corresponding author: Erika Dahlin, IMB, Physiology Section, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden. Tel.: +46 90 786 51 86 connection 13; Fax: +46 90 786 66 83; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Purpose: Several recent studies show that training can improve working memory (WM) performance. In this review, many issues related to WM training, such as neural basis, transfer effects, and age-related changes are addressed. Method: We focus on our own studies investigating training on tasks taxing the executive updating function and discuss our findings in relation to results from other studies investigating training of the executive component of WM. Results: The review confirms positive behavioral effects of training on working memory. The most common neural pattern following training is fronto-parietal activity decreases. Increases in sub-cortical areas are also frequently reported after training, and we suggest that such increases indicate changes in the underlying skill following training. Transfer effects are in general difficult to demonstrate. Some studies show that older adults increase their performance after WM training. However, transfer effects are small or nonexistent in old age. Conclusions: The main finding in this review is that sub-cortical areas seem to have a critical role in mediating transfer effects to untrained tasks after at least some forms of working memory training (such as updating).

Keywords: Fronto-parietal changes, subcortical changes, executive training, fMRI, transfer effects, aging

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-2009-0492

Journal: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 405-419, 2009