Facebook pixel
Go to home page
Go to home page

Neural Mechanisms of Brain Plasticity With Complex Cognitive Training in Healthy Seniors

Elderly couple smiling, outdoors on a beautiful day.

Cerebral Cortex

Sandra B. Chapman, Sina Aslan, Jeffrey S. Spence, John J. Hart Jr, Elizabeth K. Bartz, Nyaz Didehbani, Molly W. Keebler, Claire M. Gardner, Jeremy F. Strain, Laura F. DeFina and Hanzhang Lu

Read full research article

Overview

This study builds upon previous findings associating neurological gains with tactical brain strategies. Researchers utilized a group of 37 cognitively healthy adults, randomly assigning participants to either a cognitive training group or a control group (no training). The cognitive training group participated in 12 weeks of strategy-based gist-reasoning training, targeting cognitive control of complex information, specifically the ability to extract the "gist" of information encountered in everyday life (e.g., medical, financial, educational or recreational information). In addition, training supported strategies for developing innovative interpretations and approaches to problem solving. Participants were tested pre-training, at midpoint and post-training. Findings suggest the cognitive training group experienced increased brain blood flow in regions integral to reasoning and executive thought, strengthening their ability to abstract broad ideas from detailed information. This outcome supports the potential of strategy-based cognitive training to build cognitive reserve and even stave off negative consequences associated with age-related brain changes. 

    Share this article

    Sandra Bond Chapman, PhD

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

    Jeffrey S. Spence, PhD

    Director of Biostatistics

    Related Information

    Published SMART Evidence

    A Progression in Breadth and Depth
    Multiple trials funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense (DOD), and private philanthropy, have demonstrated that SMART can promote gains in core cognitive areas and strengthen several of the brain’s key networks – functions that support planning, reasoning, decision making, judgment and emotional regulation across populations.

    SMART Brain Training

    Take a scientific approach to leadership development. Our brains are adaptable and trainable, driven by how we engage every day. In the same way that we can improve our bodies through physical fitness, we can increase our focus, creativity and mental efficiency with targeted strategies and healthy brain habits.

    New Hope for Executive Function and Reasoning Remediation in Children With ADHD: Strategic Memory and Reasoning Training (SMART)

    Teaching children with ADHD specific metacognitive strategies has the potential to improve strategic learning and executive function.