Open AccessThe gains of a 4‐week cognitive training are not modulated by novelty
Author(s) -
Biel Davina,
Steiger Tineke K.,
Volkmann Torben,
Jochems Nicole,
Bunzeck Nico
Publication year - 2020
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.24965
Subject(s) - novelty , working memory training , working memory , psychology , memory span , cognition , cognitive training , task (project management) , neuropsychology , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , executive functions , cognitive psychology , n back , neuroscience , economics , social psychology , management
Cognitive training should not only improve performance of the trained task, but also untrained abilities. Exposure to novelty can improve subsequent memory performance, suggesting that novelty exposure might be a critical factor to promote the effects of cognitive training. Therefore, we combined a 4‐week working memory training with novelty exposure. Neuropsychological tests and MRI data were acquired before and after training to analyze behavior and changes in gray matter volume, myelination, and iron levels. In total, 83 healthy older humans participated in one of three groups: Two groups completed a 4‐week computerized cognitive training of a two‐back working memory task, either in combination with novel or with familiarized nature movies. A third group did not receive any training. As expected, both training groups showed improvements in task specific working memory performance and reaction times. However, there were no transfer or novelty effects on fluid intelligence, verbal memory, digit‐span, and executive functions. At the neural level, no significant micro‐ or macrostructural changes emerged in either group. Our findings suggest that working memory training in healthy older adults is associated with task‐specific improvements, but these gains do not transfer to other cognitive domains, and it does not lead to structural brain changes.