Changes in Neural Activity Underlying Working Memory after Computerized Cognitive Training in Older Adults
Tusch, E. S., Alperin, B. R., Ryan, E., Holcomb, P. J., Mohammed, A. H., & Daffner, K. R..
(2016)Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00255
Abstract
Computerized cognitive training (CCT) may counter the impact of aging on cognition, but both the efficacy and neurocognitive mechanisms underlying CCT remain controversial. In this study, 35 older individuals were randomly assigned to Cogmed adaptive working memory (WM) CCT or an active control CCT, featuring five weeks of five ∼40 min sessions per week. Before and after the 5-week intervention, event-related potentials were measured while subjects completed a visual n-back task with three levels of demand (0-back, 1-back, 2-back). The anterior P3a served as an index of directing attention and the posterior P3b as an index of categorization/WM updating. We hypothesized that adaptive CCT would be associated with decreased P3 amplitude at low WM demand and increased P3 amplitude at high WM demand. The adaptive CCT group exhibited a training-related increase in the amplitude of the anterior P3a and posterior P3b in response to target stimuli across n-back tasks, while subjects in the active control CCT group demonstrated a post-training decrease in the anterior P3a. Performance did not differ between groups or sessions. Larger overall P3 amplitudes were strongly associated with better task performance. Increased post-CCT P3 amplitude correlated with improved task performance; this relationship was especially robust at high task load. Our findings suggest that adaptive WM training was associated with increased orienting of attention, as indexed by the P3a, and the enhancement of categorization/WM updating processes, as indexed by the P3b. Increased P3 amplitude was linked to improved performance; however. there was no direct association between adaptive training and improved performance.
The study aimed to investigate if adaptive computerised cognitive training (CCT) through Cogmed could improve working memory skills in older adults. The adaptive CCT group was compared to a control group that completed non-adaptive CCT. Specifically, researchers looked at if CCT would lead to changes in brain signals associated with attention and memory. The sample consisted of 35 older adults.
Findings:
After five weeks of training, participants who used the adaptive version of Cogmed showed increased brain activity related to attention and working memory, especially during difficult tasks. This was shown through specific brain waves called ERPs, namely the P3a and P3b components. These increases suggest that Cogmed training helped participants better focus on relevant information and process memories more efficiently. However, there was no significant improvement in real-world memory performance compared to the control group.
Strengths:
The randomised control trial design and utilising a direct measure of brain activity, providing objective evidence on how Cogmed might influence neural processes. Focusing on older adults makes the findings relevant to aging and cognitive health.
Limitations:
Memory improvements were not observed, which limits the generalisability of results to real-world benefits. The relatively short training period and small sample size mean longer, or larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Aim of study:
The study aimed to investigate if adaptive computerised cognitive training (CCT) through Cogmed could improve working memory skills in older adults. The adaptive CCT group was compared to a control group that completed non-adaptive CCT. Specifically, researchers looked at if CCT would lead to changes in brain signals associated with attention and memory. The sample consisted of 35 older adults.
Findings:
After five weeks of training, participants who used the adaptive version of Cogmed showed increased brain activity related to attention and working memory, especially during difficult tasks. This was shown through specific brain waves called ERPs, namely the P3a and P3b components. These increases suggest that Cogmed training helped participants better focus on relevant information and process memories more efficiently. However, there was no significant improvement in real-world memory performance compared to the control group.
Strengths:
The randomised control trial design and utilising a direct measure of brain activity, providing objective evidence on how Cogmed might influence neural processes. Focusing on older adults makes the findings relevant to aging and cognitive health.
Limitations:
Memory improvements were not observed, which limits the generalisability of results to real-world benefits. The relatively short training period and small sample size mean longer, or larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.