Cognitive training changes the structure of the brain

The study involved 190 healthy adults aged 20 to 70, including 94 women and 96 men. Over a period of four years, the participants underwent up to five MRI scans. Instead of traditional assessments of overall brain volume, the study employed an advanced technique called surface-based morphometry (SBM), which allows for the detection of subtle changes in cortical complexity. The researchers analyzed parameters such as the gyrification index, which reflects the degree of cortical folding, the depth of sulci, and the fractal dimension. These are indicators that reveal the structural complexity and flexibility of the cortex. The data obtained were compared with the dynamics of the BrainHealth Index, a multidimensional scale that evaluates cognitive clarity, social engagement, and emotional balance.

The results of the work demonstrated that the brain is really capable of rebuilding itself. Improvements in the brain health index were statistically associated with real, measurable changes in neuroanatomy. Increased neural efficiency leads to structural optimization of the brain in adulthood. Special attention was paid to the complexity of the cortex as a reliable biomarker. As the brain health indicators improved, the researchers observed a significant increase in the hyperflexibility index in the left insular cortex and posterior cingulate cortex. The insular cortex plays a crucial role in connecting key brain networks responsible for higher cognitive functions.

However, the trajectories of change differed between males and females. In women, an increase in brain health scores was correlated with an increase in the depth of sulci in the left precuneus, middle temporal gyrus, and right cingulate gyrus, areas critical for memory, emotional regulation, and successful cognitive aging. In men, the pattern was different: higher initial brain health scores predicted an increase in fractal dimension in the left inferior parietal cortex. Thus, the initial structural complexity of the cortex may serve as a marker of a predisposition to further improvements in brain health specifically in men.

The participants were part of the BrainHealth Project cohort and could choose to participate in digital microlearning modules (SMART training) and receive personalized advice on developing brain-healthy habits. The study was conducted in a naturalistic manner, with researchers observing the participants’ natural trajectories of change rather than imposing interventions.

According to the authors, this study takes the concept of neuroplasticity from a theoretical realm to a realm of measurable physical changes. Instead of simply stating that the brain is plastic, the study provides evidence of specific structural shifts. A personalized approach is equally important, as taking into account gender differences in biomarkers will allow for more accurate selection and adaptation of cognitive training programs to individual neuroanatomical profiles.