Computer-Based Cognitive Training Improves Brain Functional Connectivity in the Attentional Networks: A Study With Primary School-Aged Children

Sánchez-Pérez , Noelia (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Inuggi, Alberto ; Castillo, Alejandro ; Campoy, Guillermo ; García-Santos, Jose Maria ; González-Salinas, Carmen ; Fuentes, Luis J.

Resumen: We have shown that a computer-based program that trains schoolchildren in cognitive tasks that mainly tap working memory (WM), implemented by teachers and integrated into school routine, improved cognitive and academic skills compared with an active control group. Concretely, improvements were observed in inhibition skills, non-verbal IQ, mathematics and reading skills. Here, we focus on a subsample from the overarching study who volunteered to be scanned using a resting state fMRI protocol before and 6-month after training. This sample reproduced the aforementioned behavioral effects, and brain functional connectivity changes were observed within the attentional networks (ATN), linked to improvements in inhibitory control. Findings showed stronger relationships between inhibitory control scores and functional connectivity in a right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) cluster in trained children compared to children from the control group. Seed-based analyses revealed that connectivity between the r-MFG and homolateral parietal and superior temporal areas were more strongly related to inhibitory control in trained children compared to the control group. These findings highlight the relevance of computer-based cognitive training, integrated in real-life school environments, in boosting cognitive/academic performance and brain functional connectivity.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00247

Año: 2019

Publicado en: FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 13 (2019)
ISSN: 1662-5153

Factor impacto JCR: 2.512 (2019)

Categ. JCR: BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES rank: 23 / 52 = 0.442 (2019) - Q2 - T2
Categ. JCR: NEUROSCIENCES rank: 180 / 271 = 0.664 (2019) - Q3 - T3

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 1.199 - Behavioral Neuroscience (Q1) - Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology (Q1) - Cognitive Neuroscience (Q2)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PSI2017-84556-P

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Psicolog.Evolut.Educac (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)