A new study has identified MRI biomarkers that reveal physical changes in the brain after cognitive training, providing direct evidence that mental exercise can alter brain structure.
The Research
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine and other institutions conducted a randomized controlled trial with 60 healthy adults aged 20-40. Half completed 30 sessions of adaptive cognitive training targeting attention and working memory over 6 weeks, while the other half served as a control. Before and after training, all participants underwent high-resolution MRI scans. The trained group showed significant increases in cortical thickness in the prefrontal cortex and parietal lobes — regions critical for executive function and attention — compared to controls. Specifically, the trained group had a 3.2% increase in cortical thickness in the right prefrontal cortex (p<0.01). The study also found increased functional connectivity between these regions. The findings were published in NeuroImage in August 2023.
Why It Matters
For anyone interested in boosting their cognitive abilities, this study confirms that the brain is malleable — even in adulthood. The changes were not just in function but in physical structure, meaning cognitive training can literally reshape your brain. This reinforces the idea that consistent mental exercise can improve attention, memory, and possibly protect against age-related decline.
What You Can Do
- Practice focused attention: Spend 10-15 minutes daily on tasks that require sustained concentration, like puzzles or reading.
- Try adaptive brain training: Programs that adjust difficulty to your skill level (like iqgenio's brain training) may be most effective.
Source: Google News: IQ & cognition
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