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Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Sandra B. Chapman, Sina Aslan, Jeffrey S. Spence, Molly W. Keebler, Laura F. DeFina, Nyaz Didehbani, Alison M. Perez, Hanzhang Lu and Mark D'Esposito

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Overview

This randomized trial compared the results of two training protocols, cognitive training (CT) and physical training (PT), to examine their effects on cognition and brain function for adults aged 56-75 years. Participants were randomly assigned to either the PT or CT protocol, and both training regiments were conducted three hours per week over the span of 12 weeks. Data was gathered before, during (halfway), and after training. Cognitive performance was measured by a range of standardized intelligence tests, and brain changes were measured through fMRI. Evidence indicates that both training methods improved brain function and cognition for participants, but in distinct ways. Cognitive training seemed to improve participants' executive functioning (reasoning, decision making, etc.), whereas physical training enhanced memory.

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    Sandi Chapman, Founder and Chief Director, Center for BrainHealth, Co-Leader, The BrainHealth Project, Dee Wyly Distinguished Professor

    Sandra Bond Chapman, PhD

    Chief Director Dee Wyly Distinguished Professor, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences Co-Leader, The BrainHealth Project

    Headshot of Jeffrey S. Spence, PhD

    Jeffrey S. Spence, PhD

    Director of Biostatistics

    Dr. Mark D'Esposito is a distinguished professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and the Carol Heller BrainHealth Project Co-Leader.

    Mark D’Esposito, MD

    Co-Leader, The BrainHealth Project

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