Gaming expertise induces meso‑scale brain plasticity and efficiency mechanisms as revealed by whole-brain modeling
Gaming expertise induces meso‑scale brain plasticity and efficiency mechanisms as revealed by whole-brain modeling
StatusVoR
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Authors
Coronel-Oliveros, Carlos
Medel, Vicente
Orellana, Sebastian
Rodino, Julio
Lehue, Fernando
Cruzat, Josephine
Tagliazucchi, Enzo
Brzezicka, Aneta
Orio, Patricia
Kowalczyk-Grębska, Natalia
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Date
2024-05-06
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NeuroImage
Issue
Volume
293
Pages
Pages
1-18
ISSN
1053-8119
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Access date
2024-06-05
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
Video games are a valuable tool for studying the effects of training and neural plasticity on the brain. However, the underlying mechanisms related to plasticity-associated brain structural changes and their impact on brain dynamics are unknown. Here, we used a semi-empirical whole-brain model to study structural neural plasticity mechanisms linked to video game expertise. We hypothesized that video game expertise is associated with neural plasticity-mediated changes in structural connectivity that manifest at the meso‑scale level, resulting in a more segregated functional network topology. To test this hypothesis, we combined structural connectivity data of StarCraft II video game players (VGPs, n = 31) and non-players (NVGPs, n = 31), with generic fMRI data from the Human Connectome Project and computational models, to generate simulated fMRI recordings. Graph theory analysis on simulated data was performed during both resting-state conditions and external stimulation. VGPs’ simulated functional connectivity was characterized by a meso‑scale integration, with increased local connectivity in frontal, parietal, and occipital brain regions. The same analyses at the level of structural connectivity
showed no differences between VGPs and NVGPs. Regions that increased their connectivity strength in VGPs are known to be involved in cognitive processes crucial for task performance such as attention, reasoning, and inference. In-silico stimulation suggested that differences in FC between VGPs and NVGPs emerge in noisy contexts, specifically when the noisy level of stimulation is increased. This indicates that the connectomes of VGPs may facilitate the filtering of noise from stimuli. These structural alterations drive the meso‑scale functional changes observed in individuals with gaming expertise. Overall, our work sheds light on the mechanisms underlying structural neural plasticity triggered by video game experiences.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Whole-brain modeling
Videogames
Neural plasticity
Attention
Functional connectivity
Brain stimulation
Videogames
Neural plasticity
Attention
Functional connectivity
Brain stimulation
Keywords other
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Neuronalne korelaty poprawy funkcjonowania poznawczego u osób grających w gry komputerowe: rola mikrostruktury włókien istoty białej i aktywności mózgu
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