Neural basis of cognitive training and development

This paper gives a brief overview of phases in brain development and discusses the hypothesis that mechanisms of working memory development are partly the same as those of working memory training. Brain development could be related to different, but overlapping phases: (i) structural maturation, with a relatively high reliance of preprogrammed processes; (ii) interactive specialization, which is a reorganization of the functional networks, partly in response to the environmental demands; (iii) training or skill learning, which is a qualitative change, such as strengthened connectivity of existent networks. The mechanisms of this skill learning could be similar to those neural processes observed during controlled studies of working memory training, where strengthened connectivity between frontal and parietal regions is suggested to play a central role. Education and formal schooling could be one important factor driving the training and skill-learning phase of executive functions, including improvement of working memory.