Numerous studies demonstrate that working memory training benefits cognitive performance; however, such findings are controversial and the field is polarized. Despite a multitude of behavioural studies, investigation into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying working memory training remains limited. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows for the visualization of white matter structure and is a promising approach to identify neurobiological change associated with working memory training. In this study, 25 healthy community dwelling adults (age 18–40 years) underwent neuroimaging before and after completing a 6-week home- and web-based complex working memory training program. An active control group (n = 24) completed 6-weeks of processing speed training using the same computerized platform and imaging protocol. Voxel-wise statistical analysis of the DTI data was conducted with FSL's Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) to assess change in several metrics over the course of the intervention. Additionally, averaged whole-brain values (i.e., throughout all cerebral white matter) for each DTI metric were examined via one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The participants' scores on the training tasks significantly improved post-training. The training was not associated with improved scores on non-trained cognitive measures. The working memory training also did not alter regional or global white matter microstructure, as measured by fractional anisotrophy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD). Consistent with our previous published findings on brain activity and grey matter structure in the same study sample, the present study does not suggest that home- and web-based complex working memory training alters white matter microstructure.

大量研究表明，工作记忆训练有益于认知表现。然而，这样的发现是有争议的，并且这个领域是两极化的。尽管进行了大量的行为研究，但对工作记忆训练背后的神经生物学机制的研究仍然很有限。扩散张量成像（DTI）可以可视化白质结构，并且是一种有前途的方法来识别与工作记忆训练相关的神经生物学变化。在这项研究中，在完成为期6周的基于家庭和网络的复杂工作记忆训练计划之前和之后，对25位年龄在18至40岁之间的健康社区成年人进行了神经成像检查。活性对照组（Ñ = 24）使用相同的计算机平台和成像协议完成了6周的加工速度培训。使用FSL的基于行迹的空间统计（TBSS）对DTI数据进行Voxel明智的统计分析，以评估干预过程中若干指标的变化。另外，通过单方协方差分析（ANCOVA）检查了每个DTI指标的平均全脑值（即，整个脑白质的平均值）。参与者在培训任务上的得分显着提高了培训后的水平。训练与未训练的认知测量得分的提高无关。通过分数各向异性（FA），平均扩散率（MD），轴向扩散率（AD）和径向扩散率（RD）测量，工作记忆训练也不会改变区域或整体白质的微观结构。