Logo image
Videogame training strategy-induced change in brain function during a complex visuomotor task
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Videogame training strategy-induced change in brain function during a complex visuomotor task

Hyunkyu Lee, Michelle W Voss, Ruchika Shaurya Prakash, Walter R Boot, Loan T.K Vo, Chandramallika Basak, Matt VanPatter, Gabriele Gratton, Monica Fabiani and Arthur F Kramer
Behavioural brain research, Vol.232(2), pp.348-357
07/01/2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.03.043
PMID: 22504276

View Online

Abstract

► Complex visuomotor task training leads to a reduction in cortical activity. ► The reduction of cortical recruitment is related to improvements in performance. ► Training strategy is linked to efficient visuospatial attention and motor planning. ► Amount of training is linked to efficient executive control and rule management. Although changes in brain function induced by cognitive training have been examined, functional plasticity associated with specific training strategies is still relatively unexplored. In this study, we examined changes in brain function during a complex visuomotor task following training using the Space Fortress video game [22]. To assess brain function, participants completed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after 30h of training with one of two training regimens: Hybrid Variable-Priority Training (HVT), with a focus on improving specific skills and managing task priority, or Full Emphasis Training (FET), in which participants simply practiced the game to obtain the highest overall score. Control participants received only 6h of FET. Compared to FET, HVT learners reached higher performance on the game and showed less brain activation in areas related to visuo-spatial attention and goal-directed movement after training. Compared to the control group, HVT exhibited less brain activation in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), coupled with greater performance improvement. Region-of-interest analysis revealed that the reduction in brain activation was correlated with improved performance on the task. This study sheds light on the neurobiological mechanisms of improved learning from directed training (HVT) over non-directed training (FET), which is related to visuo-spatial attention and goal-directed motor planning, while separating the practice-based benefit, which is related to executive control and rule management.
Practice Changes of brain activation Visuomotor control Training regimen

Details

Metrics

190 readers on Mendeley
3 readers on CiteULike
Logo image