Improving innovative decision-making: Training-induced changes in fronto-parietal networks

• Published in: Brain and cognition 2018-12, Vol.128, p.46-55
• Main Authors: Crespi, Chiara, Laureiro-Martínez, Daniella, Dodich, Alessandra, Cappa, Stefano F., Brusoni, Stefano, Zollo, Maurizio, Falini, Andrea, Canessa, Nicola
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cognitive ability; Cognitive training; Decision making; Executive function; Exploration; Exploration-exploitation dilemma; Far-transfer effects; Fronto-parietal networks; Magnetic resonance imaging; Memory; Short term memory; Substantia alba
• ISSN: 0278-2626; 1090-2147
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2018.11.004

•The ability to balance exploration and exploitation relies on executive abilities.•Executive functioning and explorative choice involve fronto-parietal networks.•Executive training enhanced the ability to balance exploration and exploitation.•This improvement is linked to changes in structures within fronto-parietal networks. Innovative decision-making entails the balance of exploitative and explorative choices, and has been linked to the efficiency of executive functioning, including working-memory and attentional skills, associated with fronto-parietal networks. Based on the notion that such skills can be improved by cognitive training, we assessed whether a cognitive training enhancing basic executive skills might also improve the ability to manage the exploration-exploitation trade-off and its financial consequences, and whether any improvement in training-related performance would be reflected in neurostructural changes within fronto-parietal networks. Eighteen subjects participated in a baseline assessment, a training period and a follow-up measurement, while a matched group of 18 subjects did not undertake the training program. A subgroup of subjects underwent a multimodal MRI study to explore training-related changes in grey-matter volume and white-matter microstructure. After training, increased efficiency of innovative decision-making, related to the improvement of executive control skills, reflected neurostructural changes involving the right fronto-polar cortex and left superior longitudinal fasciculus. The quality of innovative decision-making can be improved by ad-hoc cognitive training procedures focused on executive skills, promoting neurostructural changes in fronto-parietal networks. The manifold implications involve both managerial and rehabilitative settings concerned with the quality of choices in normal and pathological conditions, respectively.