Neuroanatomical Changes Associated with Working Memory Training in Healthy Adults

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dc.contributor.advisorGoghari, Vina M.
dc.contributor.advisorCampbell, Tavis S.
dc.contributor.authorSavage, Linette
dc.contributor.committeememberBodner, Glen E.
dc.contributor.committeememberLebel, Catherine A.
dc.contributor.committeememberMacMaster, Frank P.
dc.contributor.committeememberYang, Lixia
dc.date2018-11
dc.date.accessioned2018-07-03T16:03:11Z
dc.date.available2018-07-03T16:03:11Z
dc.date.issued2018-06-26
dc.description.abstractThe potential for working memory training to enhance cognitive and intellectual abilities is alluring across scientific disciplines and the general public. However, the field has been fraught with inconsistency and controversy. Heterogeneous methodological implementations have led to a divided and contrasting body of literature, which has collectively limited scientific transparency and advancement in the field. However, neuroimaging has the potential to clarify what, if any, benefit working memory training has on the adult human brain. A recent series of studies used functional neuroimaging to investigate neural activations associated with working memory training. This dissertation uses structural imaging to address another theoretical area: the neuroanatomical correlates of working memory training. Forty-eight healthy community dwelling adults, aged 18 - 40 years, completed a series of cognitive tasks and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after completing a 6-week trial of working memory training (experimental condition) or processing speed training (active control condition). Group by time repeated measures Analyses of Variance (rm-ANOVAs) were conducted on MRI data to identify changes in surface area, thickness, and volume in theoretically relevant gray matter regions of interest, as well as overall gray and white matter volumes, associated with working memory training. Similar analyses were conducted to investigate changes in cognitive task performance in this sample. Null results were present across all neuroanatomical metrics after correction for multiple comparisons, and findings from cognitive tasks were consistent with the subset of literature suggesting that working memory training does not meaningfully benefit cognitive performance. Albeit limited by low statistical power and the confines of available technology, findings of this study, in consort with recently published investigations, strongly support the idea that working memory training is not an effective method for enhancing cognitive performance or inducing neoplastic changes in brain structure. We suggest that future studies continue attempts to resolve heterogeneity and polarization in this field, or alternatively, concentrate resources on identifying and refining mechanisms of change in populations who may benefit from rehabilitative forms of cognitive training.en_US
dc.identifier.citationSavage, L. (2018). Neuroanatomical Changes Associated with Working Memory Training in Healthy Adults (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/32054en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/32054
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/106832
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.facultyArts
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectCognitive enhancement
dc.subjectCognitive Training
dc.subjectWorking memory
dc.subjectWorking memory training
dc.subjectFluid intelligence
dc.subjectN-back training
dc.subjectMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
dc.subjectFreeSurfer
dc.subject.classificationPsychologyen_US
dc.titleNeuroanatomical Changes Associated with Working Memory Training in Healthy Adults
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineClinical Psychology
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
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