Dynamic properties of human brain structure: learning-related changes in cortical areas and associated fiber connections.

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Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_93D1962DED23
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Dynamic properties of human brain structure: learning-related changes in cortical areas and associated fiber connections.
Journal
The Journal of neuroscience
Author(s)
Taubert M., Draganski B., Anwander A., Müller K., Horstmann A., Villringer A., Ragert P.
ISSN
1529-2401 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0270-6474
Publication state
Published
Issued date
01/09/2010
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
30
Number
35
Pages
11670-11677
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Comparative Study ; Journal Article
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Recent findings in neuroscience suggest that adult brain structure changes in response to environmental alterations and skill learning. Whereas much is known about structural changes after intensive practice for several months, little is known about the effects of single practice sessions on macroscopic brain structure and about progressive (dynamic) morphological alterations relative to improved task proficiency during learning for several weeks. Using T1-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging in humans, we demonstrate significant gray matter volume increases in frontal and parietal brain areas following only two sessions of practice in a complex whole-body balancing task. Gray matter volume increase in the prefrontal cortex correlated positively with subject's performance improvements during a 6 week learning period. Furthermore, we found that microstructural changes of fractional anisotropy in corresponding white matter regions followed the same temporal dynamic in relation to task performance. The results make clear how marginal alterations in our ever changing environment affect adult brain structure and elucidate the interrelated reorganization in cortical areas and associated fiber connections in correlation with improvements in task performance.
Keywords
Adult, Brain/anatomy & histology, Brain/physiology, Brain Mapping/methods, Cerebral Cortex/anatomy & histology, Cerebral Cortex/physiology, Female, Humans, Learning/physiology, Male, Nerve Fibers, Myelinated/physiology, Neural Pathways/anatomy & histology, Neural Pathways/physiology, Neuronal Plasticity/physiology, Postural Balance/physiology, Psychomotor Performance/physiology, Young Adult
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
29/09/2010 15:12
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:56
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