Previous work demonstrates that working-memory (WM) updating training results in improved performance on a letter-memory criterion task, transfers to an untrained n-back task, and increases striatal dopamine (DA) activity during the criterion task. Here, we sought to replicate and extend these findings by also examining neurochemical correlates of transfer. Four positron emission tomography (PET) scans using the radioligand raclopride were performed. Two of these assessed DAD2 binding (letter memory; n-back) before 5 weeks of updating training, and the same two scans were performed post training. Key findings were (a) pronounced training-related behavioral gains in the letter-memory criterion task, (b) altered striatal DAD2 binding potential after training during letter-memory performance, suggesting training-induced increases in DA release, and (c) increased striatal DA activity also during the n-back transfer task after the intervention, but no concomitant behavioral transfer. The fact that the training-related DA alterations during the transfer task were not accompanied by behavioral transfer suggests that increased DA release may be a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for behavioral transfer to occur.

Behavioral dataMEMTRAIN2_BehavioralData.xlsxPET Motion dataCSV-Motion.zipPET DICOM Data part1PET data in DICOM format. Note! All packages must be downloaded and combined before unzipping.MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.001PET DICOM data part 2Download all packages and combine before unzipping.MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.002PET DICOM data part 3Please combine all parts before unzipping.MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.003PET DICOM data part 4MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.004PET DICOM part 5MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.005PET DICOM part 6MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.006PET DICOM part 7MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.007PET DICOM part 8MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.008PET DICOM part 9MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.009PET DICOM part 10MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.010PET DICOM part 11MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.011PET DICOM part 12MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.012PET DICOM part 13MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.013PET DICOM part 14MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.014PET DICOM part 15MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.015PET DICOM part 16MEMTRAIN_FINAL_DICOM.zip.016NIFTI-MRI-defaced-MEMTRAIN