Brain Network Modularity Predicts Improvements in Cognitive and Scholastic Performance in Children Involved in a Physical Activity Intervention

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

卷:14

Robert Weisshappel¹  Laura Chaddock-Heyman¹  Pauline Baniqued²  Timothy B. Weng³  Darla M. Castelli⁴  Eric S. Drollette⁵  Charles H. Hillman⁶  Shih-Chun Kao⁷  Lauren B. Raine⁷  Arthur F. Kramer⁷  Daniel R. Westfall⁷  Caitlin Kienzler⁸ 

[1] Beckman Institute, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States;

[2] Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States;

[3] Department of Diagnostic Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States;

[4] Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States;

[5] Department of Kinesiology, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States;

[6] Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States;

[7] Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States;

[8] Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, United States;

[9] Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States;

关键词: academic achievement;    brain networks;    brain network modularity;    children;    cognition;    physical activity;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnhum.2020.00346

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Introduction: Brain network modularity is a principle that quantifies the degree to which functional brain networks are divided into subnetworks. Higher modularity reflects a greater number of within-module connections and fewer connections between modules, and a highly modular brain is often interpreted as a brain that contains highly specialized brain networks with less integration between networks. Recent work in younger and older adults has demonstrated that individual differences in brain network modularity at baseline can predict improvements in performance after cognitive and physical interventions. The use of brain network modularity as a predictor of training outcomes has not yet been examined in children.Method: In the present study, we examined the relationship between baseline brain network modularity and changes (post-intervention performance minus pre-intervention performance) in cognitive and academic performance in 8- to 9-year-old children who participated in an after-school physical activity intervention for 9 months (N = 78) as well as in children in a wait-list control group (N = 72).Results: In children involved in the after-school physical activity intervention, higher modularity of brain networks at baseline predicted greater improvements in cognitive performance for tasks of executive function, cognitive efficiency, and mathematics achievement. There were no associations between baseline brain network modularity and performance changes in the wait-list control group.Discussion: Our study has implications for biomarkers of cognitive plasticity in children. Understanding predictors of cognitive performance and academic progress during child development may facilitate the effectiveness of interventions aimed to improve cognitive and brain health.

【 授权许可】

Unknown