Open AccessBilateral activation of the prefrontal cortex after strategic semantic cognitive training
Author(s) -
Miotto Eliane C.,
Savage Cary R.,
Evans Jonathan J.,
Wilson Barbara A.,
Martins M.G.M.,
Iaki Suzan,
Amaro Edson
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.20184
Subject(s) - psychology , orbitofrontal cortex , prefrontal cortex , cognition , dorsolateral prefrontal cortex , neuroscience , semantic memory , cognitive psychology , episodic memory
Abstract The prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been implicated in the ability to apply semantic organizational strategies during verbal encoding and episodic learning. However, there has been no direct evidence demonstrating which specific areas in the PFC are engaged after cognitive training using semantic organizational strategies in healthy adult human subjects. In this study, we investigated the effects of semantic strategic training on brain activity and changes in behavioral performance, after cognitive training, using functional MRI (fMRI). There was a significant activation in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal (DLPF) and orbitofrontal (OFC) areas after cognitive training. These results demonstrate the engagement of bilateral DLPF and OFC cortex during strategic memory processes, particularly when mobilization and effort of effective use of strategies are required. The functional adaptations observed here may also shed light on some of the processes underlying recovery with cognitive rehabilitation in patient populations with brain injury. Hum Brain Mapp, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.