Changes in resting-state functionally connected parietofrontal networks after videogame practice

Neuroimaging studies provide evidence for organized intrinsic activity under task-free condi- tions. This activity serves functionally relevant brain systems supporting cognition. Here, we analyze changes in resting-state functional connectivity after videogame practice applying a test-retest design. Twenty young females were selected from a group of 100 participants tested on four standardized cogni- tive ability tests. The practice and control groups were carefully matched on their ability scores. The prac- tice group played during two sessions per week across 4 weeks (16 h total) under strict supervision in the laboratory, showing systematic performance improvements in the game. A group independent com- ponent analysis (GICA) applying multisession temporal concatenation on test-retest resting-state fMRI, jointly with a dual-regression approach, was computed. Supporting the main hypothesis, the key finding reveals an increased correlated activity during rest in certain predefined resting state networks (albeit using uncorrected statistics) attributable to practice with the cognitively demanding tasks of the video- game. Observed changes were mainly concentrated on parietofrontal networks involved in heterogeneous cognitive functions. Hum Brain Mapp 00:000-000, 2012. V C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.