To explore the transfer effect of working memory span task training on n-back task and its accordant brain mechanism.

First, a randomized controlled experiment was carried out in 60 college students.The training group (n=30) received adaptive training on a working memory span task and the control group (n=30) received low difficulty repeated practice.The difference on 2-back task between the two groups at posttest and pretest was compared.Next, 60 college students who received adaptive training were divided into high transfer group (n=30) and low transfer group (n=30) according to their improvement median on 2-back task.The differences of brain activation across the whole brain between the two groups at posttest and pretest were compared.

Compared with before training, the accuracy of the 2-back task in the training group increased significantly after training(F=21.45, P<0.001), in which the training group increased by (0.15±0.18). While the control group increased by (0.03±0.17), and the difference was not significant(F=0.99, P=0.327). Compared with the low transfer group, the activation of the right striatum in the high transfer group increased significantly (corrected P=0.028). There was a significant correlation between the change of striatum activation and the change of 2-back task accuracy (R²=0.084; F=5.21, P=0.025).

The working memory span training effect can be transferred to n-back task, and the striatum plays an important role in this transfer effect.

Working memory training; Working memory span; n-back; fMRI; Striatum; Transfer effect