title: Neural change following different memory training approaches in very preterm born children - A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is mixed evidence regarding neural change following cognitive training. Brain activation increase, decrease, or a combination of both may occur. We investigated training-induced neural change using two different memory training approaches.
  
  
  METHODS
  Very preterm born children (aged 7-12 years) were randomly allocated to a memory strategy training, an intensive working memory practice or a waiting control group. Before and immediately after the trainings and the waiting period, brain activation during a visual working memory task was measured using fMRI and cognitive performance was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following both memory trainings, there was a significant decrease of fronto-parietal brain activation and a significant increase of memory performance. In the control group, no neural or performance change occurred after the waiting period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These pilot data point towards a training-related decrease of brain activation, independent of the training approach. Our data highlight the high training-induced plasticity of the child's brain during development.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Neuropediatrics , Development and Rehabilitation, Children's University Hospital , Inselspital , Bern , Switzerland.|b Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital , Inselspital , Bern , Switzerland.|c Centre for Cognition, Learning and Memory, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland , and.
authors.forename: Regula
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Everts
authors.affiliation: b Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital , Inselspital , Bern , Switzerland.|c Centre for Cognition, Learning and Memory, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland , and.|d Institute of Psychology, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mürner-Lavanchy
authors.affiliation: b Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital , Inselspital , Bern , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schroth
authors.affiliation: a Division of Neuropediatrics , Development and Rehabilitation, Children's University Hospital , Inselspital , Bern , Switzerland.|c Centre for Cognition, Learning and Memory, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland , and.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steinlin
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D007858:Learning; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Children born very preterm; memory; neural change; percent signal change; strategy training; working memory