Enhanced dynamic functional connectivity (whole-brain chronnectome) in chess experts

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Enrico Premi, Spedali Civili Hospital, Italy; Stefano Gazzina, Spedali Civili Hospital, Italy; Matteo Diano, University of Turin; Andrea Girelli, TakeAppWay; Vince Calhoun, Emory University; Armin Iraji, Georgia State University; Qiyong Gong, Sichuan University; Kaiming Li, Sichuan University; Franco Cauda, Koelliker Hospital; Roberto Gasparotti, University of Brescia; Alessandro Padovani, University of Brescia; Barbara Borroni, University of Brescia; Mauro Magoni, Spedali Civili Hosp
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-04-27
• Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2020
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63984-8
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 7051
• End Page: 7051
• Keywords: BENEFITS; RESERVE; Science & Technology; Science & Technology - Other Topics; RESTING-STATE NETWORKS; DEMENTIA; Multidisciplinary Sciences; PLASTICITY; GAME; PATTERNS
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Radiology; Psychology, General

Abstract

Multidisciplinary approaches have demonstrated that the brain is potentially modulated by the long-term acquisition and practice of specific skills. Chess playing can be considered a paradigm for shaping brain function, with complex interactions among brain networks possibly enhancing cognitive processing. Dynamic network analysis based on resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) can be useful to explore the effect of chess playing on whole-brain fluidity/dynamism (the chronnectome). Dynamic connectivity parameters of 18 professional chess players and 20 beginner chess players were evaluated applying spatial independent component analysis (sICA), sliding-time window correlation, and meta-state approaches to rs-fMRI data. Four indexes of meta-state dynamic fluidity were studied: i) the number of distinct meta-states a subject pass through, ii) the number of switches from one meta-state to another, iii) the span of the realized meta-states (the largest distance between two meta-states that subjects occupied), and iv) the total distance travelled in the state space. Professional chess players exhibited an increased dynamic fluidity, expressed as a higher number of occupied meta-states (meta-state numbers, 75.8 ± 7.9 vs 68.8 ± 12.0, p = 0.043 FDR-corrected) and changes from one meta-state to another (meta-state changes, 77.1 ± 7.3 vs 71.2 ± 11.0, p = 0.043 FDR-corrected) than beginner chess players. Furthermore, professional chess players exhibited an increased dynamic range, with increased traveling between successive meta-states (meta-state total distance, 131.7 ± 17.8 vs 108.7 ± 19.7, p = 0.0004 FDR-corrected). Chess playing may induce changes in brain activity through the modulation of the chronnectome. Future studies are warranted to evaluate if these potential effects lead to enhanced cognitive processing and if “gaming” might be used as a treatment in clinical practice.