Abstract
Longitudinal voxel-based morphometry studies have demonstrated morphological changes in cortical structures following motor and cognitive learning. In this study, we applied, for the first time, tensor-based morphometry (TBM) to assess the short-term structural brain gray matter (GM) changes associated with cognitive learning in healthy subjects. Using a 3 T scanner, a 3D T1-weighted sequence was acquired from 32 students at baseline and after two weeks. Students were separated into two groups: 13 defined as "students in cognitive training", who underwent a two-week cognitive learning period, and 19 "students not in cognitive training", who were not involved in any teaching activity. GM changes were assessed using TBM and statistical parametric mapping. Baseline regional GM volume did not differ between the two groups. At follow up, compared to "students not in cognitive training", the "students in cognitive training" had a significant GM volume increase in the dorsomedial frontal cortex, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the precuneus (p <0.001). These results suggest that cognitive learning results in short-term structural GM changes of neuronal networks of the human brain, which are known to be involved in cognition. This may have important implications for the development of rehabilitation strategies in patients with neurological diseases.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 585-589 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | NeuroImage |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 15 2009 |
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Keywords
- Cognitive learning
- Gray matter changes
- Healthy individuals
- Longitudinal study
- Plasticity
- Tensor-based morphometry
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neurology
Cite this
Cognitive learning is associated with gray matter changes in healthy human individuals : A tensor-based morphometry study. / Ceccarelli, Antonia; Rocca, Maria Assunta; Pagani, Elisabetta; Falini, Andrea; Comi, Giancarlo; Filippi, Massimo.
In: NeuroImage, Vol. 48, No. 3, 15.11.2009, p. 585-589.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Cognitive learning is associated with gray matter changes in healthy human individuals
T2 - A tensor-based morphometry study
AU - Ceccarelli, Antonia
AU - Rocca, Maria Assunta
AU - Pagani, Elisabetta
AU - Falini, Andrea
AU - Comi, Giancarlo
AU - Filippi, Massimo
PY - 2009/11/15
Y1 - 2009/11/15
N2 - Longitudinal voxel-based morphometry studies have demonstrated morphological changes in cortical structures following motor and cognitive learning. In this study, we applied, for the first time, tensor-based morphometry (TBM) to assess the short-term structural brain gray matter (GM) changes associated with cognitive learning in healthy subjects. Using a 3 T scanner, a 3D T1-weighted sequence was acquired from 32 students at baseline and after two weeks. Students were separated into two groups: 13 defined as "students in cognitive training", who underwent a two-week cognitive learning period, and 19 "students not in cognitive training", who were not involved in any teaching activity. GM changes were assessed using TBM and statistical parametric mapping. Baseline regional GM volume did not differ between the two groups. At follow up, compared to "students not in cognitive training", the "students in cognitive training" had a significant GM volume increase in the dorsomedial frontal cortex, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the precuneus (p <0.001). These results suggest that cognitive learning results in short-term structural GM changes of neuronal networks of the human brain, which are known to be involved in cognition. This may have important implications for the development of rehabilitation strategies in patients with neurological diseases.
AB - Longitudinal voxel-based morphometry studies have demonstrated morphological changes in cortical structures following motor and cognitive learning. In this study, we applied, for the first time, tensor-based morphometry (TBM) to assess the short-term structural brain gray matter (GM) changes associated with cognitive learning in healthy subjects. Using a 3 T scanner, a 3D T1-weighted sequence was acquired from 32 students at baseline and after two weeks. Students were separated into two groups: 13 defined as "students in cognitive training", who underwent a two-week cognitive learning period, and 19 "students not in cognitive training", who were not involved in any teaching activity. GM changes were assessed using TBM and statistical parametric mapping. Baseline regional GM volume did not differ between the two groups. At follow up, compared to "students not in cognitive training", the "students in cognitive training" had a significant GM volume increase in the dorsomedial frontal cortex, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the precuneus (p <0.001). These results suggest that cognitive learning results in short-term structural GM changes of neuronal networks of the human brain, which are known to be involved in cognition. This may have important implications for the development of rehabilitation strategies in patients with neurological diseases.
KW - Cognitive learning
KW - Gray matter changes
KW - Healthy individuals
KW - Longitudinal study
KW - Plasticity
KW - Tensor-based morphometry
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=69249205428&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.07.009
DO - 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.07.009
M3 - Article
C2 - 19615452
AN - SCOPUS:69249205428
VL - 48
SP - 585
EP - 589
JO - NeuroImage
JF - NeuroImage
SN - 1053-8119
IS - 3
ER -