Increased dopamine release after working-memory updating training: Neurochemical correlates of transfer

Lars Bäckman, Otto Waris, Jarkko Johansson, Micael Andersson, Juha O Rinne, Kati Alakurtti, Anna Soveri, Matti Laine, Lars Nyberg, Lars Bäckman, Otto Waris, Jarkko Johansson, Micael Andersson, Juha O Rinne, Kati Alakurtti, Anna Soveri, Matti Laine, Lars Nyberg

Abstract

Previous work demonstrates that working-memory (WM) updating training results in improved performance on a letter-memory criterion task, transfers to an untrained n-back task, and increases striatal dopamine (DA) activity during the criterion task. Here, we sought to replicate and extend these findings by also examining neurochemical correlates of transfer. Four positron emission tomography (PET) scans using the radioligand raclopride were performed. Two of these assessed DAD2 binding (letter memory; n-back) before 5 weeks of updating training, and the same two scans were performed post training. Key findings were (a) pronounced training-related behavioral gains in the letter-memory criterion task, (b) altered striatal DAD2 binding potential after training during letter-memory performance, suggesting training-induced increases in DA release, and (c) increased striatal DA activity also during the n-back transfer task after the intervention, but no concomitant behavioral transfer. The fact that the training-related DA alterations during the transfer task were not accompanied by behavioral transfer suggests that increased DA release may be a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for behavioral transfer to occur.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Behavioral and dopamine effects for the letter-memory criterion task. (A) Percent pre-post changes in letter memory. (B) Lower raclopride binding to striatal D2 receptors during letter memory compared to the control task before training in right striatum, reflecting greater DA release in response to the cognitive challenge (x,y,z = 14,−3,18; 30,−3,−2). (C,D) A training-induced decrease of raclopride binding to D2 receptors was found in left striatum (−18, 6, −12). (E) Training-related changes in raclopride binding to striatal D2 receptors in the peak region observed by Bäckman et al.. Error bars are standard errors.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Behavioral and dopamine effects for the n-back transfer task. (A) Percent pre-post changes in 3-back. (B) Lower raclopride binding to striatal D2 receptors during 3-back compared to 1-back before training in bilateral striatum, reflecting greater DA release in response to the cognitive challenge (x,y,z = 27,0,0; 11,18,6; −23,0,8; −12,15,11). (C) Effects in bilateral striatum (x,y,z = 11,14,−9; −17,15,14) showing a training-induced decrease of raclopride binding to D2 receptors during 3-back. (D) Bar graph showing a selective training-related reduction in right striatum for trained subjects. Error bars are standard errors.

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