Targeted training of working memory (WM) may improve performance and modulate brain function in untrained cognitive modalities. Demanding cognitive training protocols that do not target WM may also improve performance on untrained cognitive tests, but the delineation between transfer effects that are unique to WM training and effects that are shared among different cognitive training modalities has not been well-established. To address this, we examined the effects of twenty sessions of either WM training (visual n-back task with letter stimuli) or selective attention training (visual search task with letter array stimuli) on brain function during untrained WM and cognitive control tasks. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were obtained at baseline (pretest) and after the training period (posttest) for two untrained tasks - a Spatial 3-back task measuring spatial WM, and a Go/NoGo Flanker task measuring cognitive control. The n-back training group had more pronounced pretest-to-posttest performance improvements on the Spatial 3-back task compared to the search training group. N-back training was also associated with pretest-to-posttest enhancement of N1 amplitude and reduced N2 latency on trials of the task in which where there was a stimulus match, as well as enhancement of a late positive potential (550-750 msec post-stimulus) for all trials of the task. These ERP effects suggest that n-back training resulted in enhancement of attention to spatial locations, earlier onset of conflict monitoring processes, and changes in the engagement of neural activity during the retention interval, respectively. Both groups had faster reaction time on Go trials of the Go/NoGo Flanker task at posttest compared to pretest. Relatively subtle training-related effects were observed for N2 amplitude on this task, in line with the notion that training (particularly n-back training) was associated with improved conflict monitoring. Further, search training resulted in earlier onset of P2 and P3 latency at posttest compared to pretest. Taken together, the ERP findings for both tasks identify specific cognitive processes that are associated with transfer to untrained tasks after distinct forms of cognitive training.

中文翻译：

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认知训练转移到未经训练的任务的神经生理指标。

有针对性的工作记忆训练（WM）可以在未经训练的认知方式中提高性能并调节脑功能。要求不针对WM的认知训练协议也可能会提高未经训练的认知测试的性能，但是WM训练特有的转移效果与不同认知训练方式之间共享的效果之间的界限尚不明确。为了解决这个问题，我们检查了未经训练的WM和认知控制任务中二十次WM训练（视觉正反任务，带有字母刺激）或选择性注意力训练（视觉搜索任务，具有字母阵列刺激）对脑功能的影响。在两个未训练任务的基线（预测试）和训练期（后测试）之后，获得了与事件相关的电位（ERP），这两个任务是：测量空间WM的Spatial 3-back任务和测量认知控制的Go / NoGo Flanker任务。与搜索训练组相比，n-back训练组在Spatial 3-back任务上的测试前至测试后性能改善更为明显。在有刺激匹配的任务试验中，N-back训练还与测试前至测试后N1振幅的增加和N2潜伏期的减少以及后期正电位的增强（后550-750毫秒）相关。 -stimulus）用于该任务的所有试验。这些ERP效果表明，正背训练可以增强对空间位置的关注，以及更早地发生冲突监控过程，和在保留间隔期间神经活动参与度的变化。与测试前相比，两组在测试后对Go / NoGo Flanker任务的测试中的反应时间都更快。N2振幅在此任务上观察到的与训练相关的影响相对较小，这与训练（尤其是n-back训练）与改进的冲突监控相关联的观点一致。此外，与训练前相比，搜索训练在测试后导致P2和P3潜伏期的发作更早。两者合计，这两项任务的ERP结果都确定了特定的认知过程，这些过程与经过不同形式的认知训练后转移到未经训练的任务有关。与测试前相比，两组在测试后对Go / NoGo Flanker任务的测试中的反应时间都更快。N2振幅在此任务上观察到的与训练相关的影响相对较小，这与训练（尤其是n-back训练）与改进的冲突监控相关联的观点一致。此外，与训练前相比，搜索训练在测试后导致P2和P3潜伏期更早发作。两者合计，这两项任务的ERP结果都确定了特定的认知过程，这些过程与经过不同形式的认知训练后转移到未经训练的任务有关。与测试前相比，两组在测试后对Go / NoGo Flanker任务的测试中的反应时间都更快。N2振幅在此任务上观察到相对微妙的与训练相关的效果，这与训练（尤其是n-back训练）与改进的冲突监控相关联的观点一致。此外，与训练前相比，搜索训练在测试后导致P2和P3潜伏期更早发作。两者合计，这两项任务的ERP结果都确定了特定的认知过程，这些过程与经过不同形式的认知训练后转移到未经训练的任务有关。与训练前相比，搜索训练在测试后导致P2和P3延迟的发作更早。两者合计，这两项任务的ERP结果都确定了特定的认知过程，这些过程与经过不同形式的认知训练后转移到未经训练的任务有关。与训练前相比，搜索训练在测试后导致P2和P3潜伏期更早发作。两者合计，这两项任务的ERP结果都确定了特定的认知过程，这些过程与经过不同形式的认知训练后转移到未经训练的任务有关。