Working memory training is associated with lower prefrontal cortex activation in a divergent thinking task. (Improvements on RAPM)

[Pontus Granström]

Abstract—Working memory (WM) training has been shown
to lead to improvements in WM capacity and fluid intelli-
gence. Given that divergent thinking loads on WM and fluid
intelligence, we tested the hypothesis that WM training
would improve performance and moderate neural function
in the Alternate Uses Task (AUT)—a classic test of divergent
thinking. We tested this hypothesis by administering the
AUT in the functional magnetic resonance imaging scanner
following a short regimen of WM training (experimental con-
dition), or engagement in a choice reaction time task not
expected to engage WM (active control condition). ** Partici-
pants in the experimental group exhibited significant
improvement in performance in the WM task as a function
of training, as well as a significant gain in fluid intelligence. **
Although the two groups did not differ in their performance
on the AUT, activation was significantly lower in the experi-
mental group in ventrolateral prefrontal and dorsolateral
prefrontal cortices—two brain regions known to play disso-
ciable and critical roles in divergent thinking. Furthermore,
gain in fluid intelligence mediated the effect of training on
brain activation in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex. These
results indicate that a short regimen of WM training is asso-
ciated with lower prefrontal activation—a marker of neural
efficiency—in divergent thinking. Crown Copyright
Ó 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of IBRO. All
rights reserved.

[Gwern Branwen]

Already discussed & jailbroken as
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/85192141/2013-vartanian.pdf

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