Neural substrate of a cognitive intervention program using Go game: a positron emission tomography study

Background Influence of cognitive intervention programs on brain activity has not been enough explored. Aims The aims of the present study were to clarify changes in brain activity from a cognitive intervention program utilizing the board game "Go" and to examine the relationship between brain activity and the acquisition of Go skills. Methods Eighteen community-dwelling older adults were randomly assigned either to an intervention group (IG), in which members attended 12 Go lessons either in groups or individually using tablet computers, or a control group (CG), in which members attended health education lectures unrelated to Go. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), cognitive assessments, and Go tests were performed before and after the intervention. Results The results showed different patterns of regional FDG uptake in both groups: regional cerebral glucose metabolism was significantly increased in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and bilateral putamen (p < 0.01; cluster level) in the IG, and in the left superior frontal gyrus in the CG, (p < 0.01; cluster level). Furthermore, Go test scores were significantly improved in the IG (p < 0.05), and a significant association was observed between changes in Go test scores and glucose metabolism in the left MTG (p < 0.05). Conclusions and discussion This study indicates that a cognitive intervention program using Go may enhance brain activity. Further studies with larger populations and longer observation periods are needed to clarify the neural mechanisms underlying our Go intervention program.