Neuroscience Perspectives on Cognitive Training

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this chapter is to spark a discussion regarding how cognitive neuroscience research can aid in the evaluation and development of effective cognitive training protocols. In particular, the authors pose questions relating to whether training-related neural plasticity (i.e., changes in brain function and structure in response to experience) could be used to facilitate the identification and targeting of the neural systems (for working memory and other executive functions) that both support performance on a desired outcome task (e.g., speech recognition) and are alterable via training. The chapter describes approaches that provide unique methodological perspectives for understanding the neural systems that support training-related improvements in cognition. The chapter also highlights the multiple challenges that have emerged from behavioral studies of cognitive training and that neuroscience techniques may help to address, including: establishing the extent to which cognitive training benefits exist for trained tasks and materials, transfer to untrained tasks and materials, persist for extended periods of time, and are effective across a range of individuals. Cognitive neuroscience research has begun not only to tackle these challenges but also to pose new questions, such as: Can training benefits be maximized via regulating or stimulating the neural systems that support behavior? How might our current approaches to cognitive training be significantly altered by novel and developing cognitive neuroscience methodologies?