serval:BIB_93D1962DED23
Dynamic properties of human brain structure: learning-related changes in cortical areas and associated fiber connections.
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2567-10.2010
000281607300013
20810887
Taubert
M.
author
Draganski
B.
author
Anwander
A.
author
Müller
K.
author
Horstmann
A.
author
Villringer
A.
author
Ragert
P.
author
article
2010-09-01
The Journal of neuroscience
1529-2401
0270-6474
journal
30
35
11670-11677
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.
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
eng
60_published
true
peer-reviewed
Publication types: Comparative Study ; Journal Article
Publication Status: ppublish
University of Lausanne
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